The Leonard Medical School was the state’s first four-year, MD-granting program and was one of the first in the nation. Part of Shaw University, the school operated from 1881 to 1914, when the university’s trustees shortened the program to two years. The school closed during the 1918-1919 school year. During its existence, the Leonard Medical School trained and graduated more than 400 African American physicians.
Manassa T. Pope was an early (1886) graduate of the Leonard Medical School who went on to become a prominent doctor and citizen in Raleigh. His house still stands on S. Wilmington Street. Plans are to turn it into a house museum (these are very rarely devoted to African American families):
http://www.thepopehousemuseum.org/index.shtml
This blog post is the most recent info I can find online about the Pope project:
http://greenespace.blogspot.com/2008/04/very-long-civil-rights-movement.html
The Pope Family Papers are held by the Southern Historical Collection at UNC-CH:
http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/p/Pope%5FFamily.html
An article from Our State magazine (Sept. 2006) about the Leonard Medical School may be of interest. It’s posted on the Shaw University Website:
http://www.shawuniversity.edu/assets/Making_History.pdf
I am researching a Weldon, NC doctor named J. a. (James) Tinsley who practiced medicine in Halifax County and was a graduate of early Leonard Medical School at Shaw UV. He practiced medicine between early 1900′s to mid 1900′s. Any Information including a photo would be greatly appreciated. His immediate family is deceased.
Thank you.
The North Carolina Collection has an online Biographical Index that contains citations to biographical sketches about North Carolinians. Take a look at the index to see if you can locate any information on J. A. (James) Tinsley. If so, feel free to email us at nccref@email.unc.edu for more information and/or copies of the material.
Thank you for your quick response.
great tips. I enjoyed reading this
Does anyone know where I can find a floorplan of the orginal Leonard Medical School? I am particularly interested in the exact location of its amphitheater and dissecting rooms. Any assistance will be appreciated.
You may want to try the Shaw University Archives to see what information they have (if you haven’t already):
http://www.shawuniversity.edu/Archives/Index.htm
Thanks, Jason.
I also thought that would be a good idea. I have made several calls to the Archives but got no live answerer. I did get voice mail. I contacted Todd Savitt [who is considered an authority on Leonard], but he too has never seen its floorplan. Any other suggestions?
Dear Forum:
I am seeking any information on my Great Uncle Dr. Oscar Brent Baldwin son of Frank and Martha Baldwin of Columnus County, Welches Creek Township NC. He graduated from Leonard in 1914 and practiced in Sanford. I would love to know the name of the street or physical description of the building. His obit made the front page of the newspaper stating his prominence in the community (1931). His death certificate is strange to say the least (see ancestry.com or Raleigh State Archives), says he was found dead at the home probable heart attack??? no autopsy was done. The spelling of his name is indexed incorrectly (Boudin). Any Help would be tremendously appreciated!
Shelda,
I don’t know where you are located, and how I can best get in touch with you; but I recently located a helpful floorplan that has given me deeper insight into the Leonard Building layout.
I have also contacted a Leonard researcher in Richmond, VA who has a database on graduates of Leonard going back to 1886. She has given a number of presentations on her research findings. How can I best share some of this info with you? I am here in Raleigh and recently visited the renovated Leonard Hall, which now houses the School of Theology.
Irene Clark
Hi,
How can I find more information about LA Scruggs’ family? I am from the Richmond, VA area and also attended Shaw University c/o ’01.
This is for Tekora Scruggs (2-24-2010). If you could give me her address in Richmond (or even exchange our emails), I will share with her what I have learned about Dr. L. A. Scruggs–along with references.
I am researching the Pickford Sanitarium in So. Pines, NC. Does any one know the exact location of this 4 acre site in Southern Pines? Do any of the buildings still exist?
I also am researching Dr. L.A. Scruggs, particularly his work at the Pickford Sanitarium.
I would like to write an article for our local newspaper.
I’m researching information on my grandfather, Henry David Rowe, a graduate of Leonard 1903. He practiced in Orangeburg, SC. Any info would be appreciated.
Hello Irene:
It’s now 2013…I’m still at a road block.
It has been some years but I would love to hear back from you. I can be reached at ucmad@yahoo.com or call me at 215.868.9581. I would love to connect with the researcher of Leonard medical school.
Thanks!
Shelda