Dr. Anderson Ruffin Abbott was the first African Canadian doctor. His father, Wilson R. Abbott, was a very determined man. Wilson was the child of recently freed parents, who traveled to the north hoping to find a better life. His father moved to Alabama and opened up a store. Then in fear of losing his store to White Ruffians he moved to Canada. He had a son named Anderson.
Anderson Abbott was educated in one of the most successful black settlements in Canada. He was one of the first to graduate of the schools that William King started. He then went on to study medicine at the University of Toronto, and then became a licensed doctor. The first African Canadian to receive a license to practice medicine from the Medical Board of Upper Canada. He received this license in 1861.
Anderson became a very important member of the black community, just like his father. He fought against racism and racially segregated schools in Toronto. Anderson Abbott also became the first black man to be appointed coroner in Kent County, Ontario in 1874. In 1883 Abbott took his medical practice to Dundas, Ontario. There he became popular within the community. He was a trustee of the high school and chairman of the internal management committee from 1885 until 1889.
Abbott believed that it was essential for blacks to have better access to a higher level of education.
"It is just as natural for two races living together on the same soil to blend as it is for the waters of two river tributaries to mingle." –Anderson Ruffin Abbott.
Anderson Abbott was educated in one of the most successful black settlements in Canada. He was one of the first to graduate of the schools that William King started. He then went on to study medicine at the University of Toronto, and then became a licensed doctor. The first African Canadian to receive a license to practice medicine from the Medical Board of Upper Canada. He received this license in 1861.
Anderson became a very important member of the black community, just like his father. He fought against racism and racially segregated schools in Toronto. Anderson Abbott also became the first black man to be appointed coroner in Kent County, Ontario in 1874. In 1883 Abbott took his medical practice to Dundas, Ontario. There he became popular within the community. He was a trustee of the high school and chairman of the internal management committee from 1885 until 1889.
Abbott believed that it was essential for blacks to have better access to a higher level of education.
"It is just as natural for two races living together on the same soil to blend as it is for the waters of two river tributaries to mingle." –Anderson Ruffin Abbott.
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