Robert Tanner was born in Washington, D.C. back in 1846. His father was a carpenter. He worked for a doctor in Washington during his late teens. He graduated from Harvard University in 1869.
In 1873, he contracted a water borne plague that resulted in his untimely death. However, what he did accomplish in his short life of course is the rest of the story, so let’s get to it.
Robert Tanner Freeman was the first African-American to graduate with a dental degree in the United States. Remember I wrote about Dr. Nathan Cooley yesterday? Well Freeman was one of the first six students accepted to the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine.
He was influential in serving his African-American community paving the way for a much needed cultural and political change. Until tomorrow keep a smile on your face, it is highly contagious.
Comments (15)Subscribe to CommentsComment