Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first black physician in the United States. Although she was born in Delaware, she was raised in Pennsylvania by her aunt, who served as a nurse to the sick using the knowledge that was passed to her from her ancestors. In 1864, Dr. Crumpler graduated from the New England Female Medical College in Massachusetts, becoming the first and only black graduate of that college. She then began practicing medicine in Boston, and at the end of the Civil War in 1865, worked under General Orlando Brown, the Assistant Commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau. She cared for and treated the illnesses of over 30,000 formerly enslaved people-mainly women and children.
In 1883, Dr. Crumpler published " A Book of Medical Discourses", where she shared knowledge and evidence to treat, prevent, and cure illnesses that are experienced by women and children. This book was the first medical text written by a black author and was used by doctors of all races for years to come. Her main reason for publishing this book was to emphasize prevention of illness, and not just treatment of illness. Her primary focus in caring for women and children could be seen as being influenced by homeopathy, as she commonly recommended courses of treatment influenced by homeopathy, without stating that the treatment was homeopathic.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler died March 9, 1895, in Fairview, Massachusetts. She and her husband were buried in unmarked graves in Fairview Cemetery for over 125 years until July 2020, when gravestones were installed. #protectingyourtemple #blackhistory #blackhistorywellness #blackhistorymedicalfacts #blackhistorymedicalpioneers #homeopathy #blackwomen #blackwomeninmedicine #blackwellness
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