A commission as major in the United States Army in 1863 marked the professional ascent of Alexander Thomas Augusta, who became the first African-American physician to serve in the military. His career spanned continents, navigating institutional barriers in Virginia and Pennsylvania before he successfully completed his medical education at the University of Toronto in Canada West.
Early Obstacles and Academic Pursuit
Born in 1825 in Norfolk, Virginia, Augusta grew up in an environment hostile to the education of free people of color. Despite legal restrictions, he learned to read while working as a barber. Seeking a career in medicine, he applied to the University of Pennsylvania but faced rejection based on claims of inadequate preparation. Undeterred, he pursued private instruction and eventually relocated to Toronto. He enrolled at Trinity College in 1850, supporting his studies by operating a drugstore on Yonge Street.
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After completing his training in 1856, Augusta established a medical practice in Toronto. He served as an assistant medical attendant at the Toronto House of Industry and participated in antislavery activism. His commitment to education extended to his role as president of the Provincial Association for the Education and Elevation of the Coloured People of Canada, where he assisted in providing learning materials for children.
Military Service and Administrative Leadership
In 1863, Augusta wrote to President Abraham Lincoln to offer his expertise as a surgeon for colored regiments. Despite initial resistance regarding his racial background and status as a British subject, he passed his medical examination on 14 April 1863. He was appointed to lead the Freedman's Hospital in Washington, D.C., representing the first instance of a black hospital administrator in American history. He later served as the Regimental Surgeon of the Seventh U.S. Colored Troops, eventually earning a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel by March 1865.
Public Advocacy and Later Career
Augusta frequently challenged the discriminatory treatment of African Americans. Following an incident in 1864 where he was prevented from boarding a streetcar in Washington, D.C., he drafted a report on the matter. Senator Charles Sumner read his account to Congress, which spurred discussions on legislative protections. In 1868, Augusta achieved another milestone by becoming the first African American appointed to the faculty of Howard University, serving as the first black faculty member at any medical college in the United States. He died in 1890 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1825, Norfolk, Virginia
- Died: 1890, Washington, D.C.
- Education: University of Toronto
- Military Rank: Brevet lieutenant colonel
- First Role: Army's first African-American physician
- Academic Appointment: Howard University, 1868
- Burial Site: Arlington National Cemetery
Questions readers ask
Was Alexander Thomas Augusta a British citizen?
Yes, he held citizenship in both the United States and the United Kingdom during his life.
What significant firsts are associated with his medical career?
He was the first African-American physician in the U.S. Army, the first black hospital administrator in U.S. history, and the first African-American medical faculty member at a U.S. college.
