Explore discoveries, inventions and the people who expanded what was possible.
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Loading image…1882–1961
William Augustus Bell (1882–1961) was an American businessman, educator, academic administrator, and university president. He served two terms as president of Miles College, a private historically black college in Fairfield, Alabama.
1883–1959
William Augustus Hinton (December 15, 1883 – August 8, 1959) was an American bacteriologist, pathologist and educator. He was the first Black professor in the history of Harvard University. A pioneer in the field of public health, Hinton developed a test…
Loading image…1944–
William Barclay Allen (born 1944) is an American author, professor, and political scientist from Fernandina Beach, Florida. He was a member of the National Council on the Humanities from 1984 to 1987 and chairman of the United States Commission on Civil…
1838–1914
William B. Purvis (12 August 1838 – 10 August 1914) was an African-American inventor and businessman who received multiple patents in the late 19th-century. His inventions included improvements on paper bags, an updated fountain pen design, improvement to…
Loading image…1882–1971
William Chester Ruth (July 19, 1882 – April 3, 1971) was an African American machinist, business owner, and patented inventor who lived in Chester County and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission dedicated a…
Loading image…1926–2022
William Conan Davis (August 22, 1926 – March 16, 2022) was a professor emeritus and was chair of natural sciences at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, Texas. The William C. Davis Science Building is named in his honor.
1944–
William Donald Bradford (born June 19, 1944) is an American economist who is Professor Emeritus of Finance and former Dean of the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. He is a former president of the National Economic Association and…
1859–1912
William Demosthenes Crum, alternatively known as William Demos Crum, (February 9, 1859 – December 7, 1912) was an American physician and diplomat.
Loading image…1949–
William E. "Kip" Ward (born 3 June 1949) is a retired United States Army general officer who served as the inaugural Commander of United States Africa Command from 1 October 2007 to 8 March 2011. During his long career in public service, he has taught…
Loading image…1871–1934
William Fletcher Penn (January 16, 1871 in New Glasgow, Amherst County, Virginia – May 31, 1934) was a prominent Black-American medical doctor in Atlanta, Georgia and a founding member of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement…
1925–
William Ferguson "Fergie" Reid (born March 18, 1925) is a Virginia physician, politician and civil rights activist. In 1968, Reid became the first African-American elected to the Virginia Assembly since the days of Reconstruction. He won re-election twice…
1927–2026
William Gilchrist Anderson (December 12, 1927 – August 16, 2026) was an American surgeon who was the first African-American to become a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) for twenty years where he also served as…
July 26, 2011
FROM THE SOURCE CATALOGThe oral history consists of six digital files: 2011.174.41.1a, 2011.174.41.1b, 2011.174.41.1c, 2011.174.41.1d, 2011.174.41.1e, and 2011.174.41.1f. William Anderson, D.O. recalls growing up in Americus, Georgia, serving in the navy during World War II, and…
1933–2002
William F. Gibson (November 23, 1933 – May 2, 2002) was an African-American dentist who served as chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1985 to 1995. Gibson was a graduate of North Carolina A&T State…
1855–1922
William Gunn (1855–1922) was one of Florida's first African-American medical doctors. He began his career working as a driver for a medical doctor at the Knott House. Gunn was born in Leon County, Florida in 1855.
Loading image…1860–1946
William Henry Perry Sr., also known as W. H. Perry (March 5, 1860 – October 13, 1946) was an American physician, educator, and principal. He was also a member of the freemasons, poet, and public speaker. He was the first Black physician to receive his…
Biography
William Hugh Robinson is an American engineer who is Professor of Electrical Engineering and Vice Provost for Academic at Vanderbilt University. His research considers sophisticated computer systems for consumer and industrial use. He is an advocate for…
Loading image…1864–1942
William Hallett Greene or Green (c. October 1864 – May 1942) was the first black member of the U.S. Signal Corps, the first black graduate of City College of New York, and first black meteorologist.
1866–1937
William Henry Cling (October 1866 – February 25, 1937) was an American inventor during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He is responsible for the invention and improvement of several apparel-related items as well as the creation of mechanical devices. Cling…
1910–1952
William Henry Dean Jr. (1910–1952) was an American economic geographer. He was the second African American to gain a PhD in economics from Harvard University.
Loading image…1842–1901
William Henry Fitzbutler (1842–1901), also known as Henry Fitzbutler, was an American educator, doctor, medical school founder, newspaper editor, and civil rights leader. He was the first African American to graduate from University of Michigan's medical…
1873–1956
William Hunter Dammond (October 26, 1873 – December 8, 1956) was an American civil engineer. He studied civil engineering at the Western University of Pennsylvania and, in 1893, was the first African American to graduate from that institution. As a black…
1924–2013
William J. Cousins (January 25, 1924 – July 31, 2013) was an American sociologist who led international urban community development, taught sociology and race relations at several colleges, and wrote a number of books and articles on international…
Loading image…1884–1944
William J. Thompkins (July 5, 1884 - August 4, 1944) was a physician and health administrator in Kansas City, Missouri and served as Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia from 1934 to his death. He first received national notice when he challenged…
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