"Rebecca-Davis-Lee-Crumpler" (February 8,1831-March 9,1895)

Was an American physician.She was the first African American woman to become a doctor in the United States.She married Dr.Author Crumpler after the Civil War.Her publication of a Book of Medical Discourses in 1883 was one of the first written by an African American about medicine.Rebecca was born in Delaware to Matilda & Absolum Davis.She was raised in Pennsylvania by an aunt who cared for infirm neighbors;During the antebellum years,medical care for poor African American who was almost non-existent.She moved to Charletown,Massachusetts by 1852 and was employed as a nurse until she was accepted into the New England Female Medical College in 1860.It was rare for women or African American men to admitted to medical schools during this time.When she graduated in 1864,Rebecca Rebecca Lee (later Crumpler)  was the the first African American woman in the United States to earn an M.D. degree,and the only African American woman to graduate from New England Female Medical College.




She describes the progression of experiences that led her to study and practice medicine in her book A Book of Medical  Discourses (1883):


It may be well to state that,having been reared by a kind aunt in Pennsylvania,whose




It May be well to state that,having been reared by a kind aunt in Pennsylvania,whose usefulness with the sick was continually sought,i early conceived  a liking for,and sought every opportunity to relieve the sufferings of others.Later in life I devoted my time,when best I could,to nursing as a business,serving under different doctors for a period of eight years (1852-1860);most of the time at my adopted home in Charlestown,Middlesex County,Massachusetts.From these doctors I received letters commending me to the faculty of the New England Female Medical College,whence,four years afterward,i received the degree of doctress of medicine.


Rebecca first practiced medicine in Boston,primarily for poor women and children.During this time she "sought training in the "British Dominion.


After the Civil War ended in 1865,she moved to Richmond,Virginia believing it to be "a proper field for real missionary work,and one that would present ample opportunities to become acquainted with diseases of what and children.During my stay there nearly every hour was improved in that sphere of labor.The last quarter of the year 1866,i was enabled...to have access each day to a very large number of the indigent,and others,of diffirent classes in a population of  over 30,000 colored." Rebecca worked for the Freedmen's Bureau to provide medical care to freed slaves;Rebecca was subject to "intense racism." "men doctors snubbed her,druggist balked at filling her prescriptions,and some wisecracked that the M.D. behind her name stood for nothing more than  'Mule Driver.


She married Dr.Arthur Crumpler around the time of her graduation,by the time she moved back to Boston.Her neighborhood on Joy Street in Beacon Hill was a predominantly African American community.Rebecca entered into work with renewed vigor,practicing outside,and receiving children in the house for treatment; regardless,in a measure,of remuneration.


By 1880 Rebecca and Arthur moved to Hype Park Massachusetts.There was not great demand for her service in the community.She was no longer practicing medicine.


She died in Fairview Massachusetts.