People, Locations, Episodes

Hallie Q. Brown, Suffragist born

This date marks the birth of Hallie Quinn Brown in 1850. She was a Black educator and elocutionist who pioneered in the movement for Black women’s clubs in the United States.

The Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania is Founded

*The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP) founding is celebrated on this date in 1850.  This was the second medical institution established to train women in medicine to earn the M.D. degree and one of the earliest colleges a Black woman could earn a medical degree. The New England Female Medical College had been established […]

Zelia Ball Page, Educator born

*Zelia Ball Page was born on this date in 1850. She was a Black teacher.   Zelia R. Ball was born in Alexandria, Virginia, to a Black freedwoman who raised her in Washington, D. C. Her mother worked with the Underground Railroad, and fearing for her daughter’s safety, she arranged with Dr. Peter Parker to […]

Felix Adler, Social Activist born

*Felix Adler was born on this date in 1851.  He was a white Jewish-American professor, rationalist, lecturer, and social reformer.   Felix Adler was born in Alzey, Rhenish Hesse, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany, the son of a rabbi, Samuel Adler, a leading figure in European Reform Judaism. The family immigrated to the United States from Germany when Felix was six so his father could accept the appointment as head rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in New […]

Mary Sanderson-Grases, Educator born

*The birth of Mary Sanderson-Grases is celebrated on this date in 1851.  She was a Black school teacher.  Mary Jane Sanderson was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, to Jeremiah Burke (“J.B.”) Sanderson and Catherine Molyneaux (Sanderson). She was the second oldest of 8 children and came to California with her mother and siblings about 1861 to join […]

William S. Scarborough, Scholar born

*This date in 1852 marks the birth of William Sander Scarborough. He was an African American scholar and University President.

William Scarborough was born in Macon, Georgia. As a child he studied with a free Black family and white neighbors learning carpentry and shoe making. He was emancipated during the Civil War, entered Atlanta University in 1869, and then went on to Oberlin College for his Masters degree. He taught for a time amidst the Jim Crow Laws in the south.

Daniel P. Murray, Author, and Historian

*On this date the birth of Daniel Alexander Payne Murray in 1852 is celebrated. He was a Black author, politician, and historian.

Julia Hooks, Activist, and Educator born

The birth of Julia A. B. Hooks in 1852 is celebrated on this date. She was an African American musician, educator and social worker.

Edward Bouchet, Physicist born

*Edward Bouchet was born on this date in 1852. He was an African American educator, physicist and administrator.

William Feilds, School Principal born

*The birth of William A. Feilds is celebrated on this date in c. 1852.  He was a Black schoolteacher, principal, and politician.   Born a slave in West Tennessee in 1874, Feilds married Elizabeth (Lizzie) Fields, age 20, in Shelby County, TN.  In 1882, Sholes’ Memphis City Directory listed Feilds as a “teacher 5th District school, r county.” According […]

Louisia Bustill Robeson, Educator born

*Louisa Bustill Robeson was born on this date in 1853. She was an African and Native American schoolteacher. Maria Louisa Bustill (sometimes called Louisa as a child) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Igbo of Nigeria, Lenni-Lenape Native American, and Anglo-American descent. Her parents were Charles Hicks Bustill and Emily Robinson, prominent black Quakers. Bustill’s ancestors […]

Inman Page, Educator born

On this date in 1853, Inman Edward Page was born. He was a Black educator and academic administrator.

Lucy Laney, Educator born

On this date in 1854, Lucy Laney was born. She was a Black educator and pioneer in secondary education.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania is Founded

On this date, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, one of the over 100 Historically Black Colleges & Universities, was founded.

Olivia D. Washington, Educator, and Administrator born

This date in 1854 marks the birth of Olivia Davidson Washington. She was a Black educator and administrator, and a critical factor in the creation and success of Tuskegee Institute with her peer and husband, Booker T. Washington.