Leonard Medical School

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.

24 thoughts on “Leonard Medical School”

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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?

  5. 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!

  6. 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

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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

  12. I am trying to find out information about my paternal grandfather who graduated from the Leonard pharmacy school. I don’t know the dates that he attended the school, but his name is Richard Elias Wimberley and he was from Tarboro NC. He owned a drugstore in Raleigh (Central Drug). Any information would be greatly appreciated.

  13. Hi Carmen,
    I’m glad you found our post on Leonard Medical School. I quickly checked the North Carolina Collection’s clippings database (library.unc.edu/wilson/ncc/citations). Unfortunately, I got no results for your grandfather’s name. My colleagues in our research and instructional services department might be able to do a little more digging. You can reach them at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.

    You might also try the Shaw University Archives (http://www.shawu.edu/archives.aspx).

    Good luck in your search.

    Best,
    John
    Assistant Curator, North Carolina Collection

  14. My maternal great grandfather graduated from Leonard Medical School. His name was Dr. A.S. McMillan. Is there anyway, I can find out what year he graduated?

  15. Hello 🙂 I am looking for a bio on Dr. Lawson Andrew Scruggs. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  16. I located my paternal grandfather through The Leonard Medical School annual Announcements. I knew that he Shaw University but was not aware of the medical school name until recently. His name was Dr. Lymus Griffin and he graduated in 1910 and returned to Bellview Florida to practice. He died in Whiteville. NC in 1922. There is no 1910 Announcement for viewing and I do not have a picture of him. The last time I spoke to the director of the Shaw University Archives director, he told me that they were attempting to organize their files and could not help at that time. Do you have access to a 1910 announcement, class or individual photos? I would greatly appreciate any leads or info. Thank You. Shirley Griffin Cates

  17. My cousin Shelda and I are searching and in need of help. We are 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!

  18. Dear Relatives of Oscar Baldwin,

    Relative to knowing the street and physical description of your great uncle Oscar Baldwin’s place of practice in Sanford, it would be prudent to examine city directories for that period of Sanford and at the state level, the NC Department of Historic Resources will probably have additional information. Lastly you may also examine Sanborn Maps for the period.

    Hope this helps,

    Elva Belsches, public historian
    Author of and producer/director for the Leonard Medical Graduates Project

  19. Elva Belsches…thanks for your response. I have a photo of our Great Uncle and have collaborated with professor Todd Savitt from East Carolina University over the years. I would like to give you a copy of his photo for your archival records.

    Please let me know how to submit it.

    Sincerely,

    Shelda Baldwin Glover, PhD
    Genealogist
    Historian
    (Aunt Millie-Christine Mckoy) conjoined Siamese twin Uncle O.B. Baldwin, M.D. was executor of her estate.

  20. Deneen Terrell Montgomery PharmD MBA Accounting
    Would persons know of archive information concerning pharmacists trained at Leonard School of Medicine and Pharmacy?

    Diocese of Raleigh NC Roman Catholic religious orders Dominican Nuns and IHM Nuns Sacred Heart Cathedral assisted my work and training as a pharmacist in NC. Assistance and support is greatly appreciated -Fort Mead Maryland

  21. Hello,
    This reply is in response to the query from Ms. Elizabeth Thompson in 2017.
    Ms. Thompson, your maternal great grandfather Dr. Alexander Sidney McMillan Sr. (1867-1933) (aka Dr. A.S. McMillan) was a graduate of the Leonard Medical School class of 1898.

    There is a wonderful photo of him, his wife Viola, and their toddler, Viola in the publication, Legendary Locals of Edgecombe and Nash Co, NC by Monike Fleming, 2013. Dr. McMillan and his wife are buried in the cemetery of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Tarboro.

    Best,

    Elvatrice Belsches, Leonard Medical and Pharmacy Grads Researcher

  22. I am researching several family members who attended Shaw. First is Thomas L Love Jr, who graduated from the Pharmacy School in April, 1905. He and his brother Dr John H Love later owned and ran a well known drug store in Raleigh: Love Bros Drug Store and had other business as well. John was 5 years older and may have graduated in 1900 or so from the same school.
    I would appreciate hearing from anyone with any information pertaining to the Love brothers. I would be especially thrilled to find class photos form the Pharmacy program during that time period that should include the Loves. Thank you in advance.

  23. Hello Carmen Cauthon,

    In regards to your query on your grandfather Richard Elias Wimberley, he likely attended one of the last pharmacy classes at Leonard.

    Your grandfather successfully passed the NC Pharmacy Boards in June of 1920.
    Hope this helps,
    Elvatrice Belsches Leonard Medical and Pharmacy School Project Researcher

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