OLD HEAD PRE-MED

Historically medical school applicants had to have had not only a college degree (preferred by not required) but three years of apprenticing to a practicing physician for possible admission to medical schools. Degree candidates often had established success in other careers, were well known in a specific field or city, and were normally in their late 20's to late 30's.

Harvard Medical School lauded a group of students of African descent who studied at Harvard between 1850 and 1930. Most were over 35, respected 'coloured' gentlemen, whose admittance to the school appeared safe, progressive and practical as all of the black graduates were presumed to be preparing to serve all black patients in the States or leave to go to the Caribbean or Africa.

Nora N. Nercessian, supported by Harvard Medical School, created and presented Against All Odds: The Afro-American Presence in Medicine, 1850–1930 an exhibit that ran during Black History Month in 1990. Follow the links below to go to the exhibit's companion book in PDF format. The book further expanded the parameters of the exhibit and on the literature that has appeared since the 1950s on some of the graduates.

Please click on the links below to view PDF files.

Acknowledgements, Preface, Introduction
Part One: An Evolution of Attitudes
Part Two: Biographical Sketches
Appendices