Christiana, Delaware (February 8, 1831 – March 9, 1895) age 64 yrs

Rebecca Crumpler was born Rebecca Davis. She was the first Black woman to become a medical doctor in the United States. She was also one of the first African Americans to write a medical book. She published a Book of ‘Medical Discourses’ in 1883. At the time, most medical schools did not admit African Americans. Fewer than 300 doctors among the 54,500 in the United States were women. Crumpler’s achievements were extraordinary. She graduated from New England Female Medical School in 1864. She was the first African American woman to graduate from the college. Crumple started her practice as a general practitioner in Boston, and later she moved it to Richmond, Virginia. In Richmond, Crumpler worked with the Freedmen’s Bureau. The Bureau was a government agency formed to help formerly enslaved people. She also collaborated with many Black community groups to give care.