James Derham

Born as a slave

James Derham was born in Philadelphia in 1762 as a slave. He was enslaved under several different doctors, eventually being transferred to Robert Dove in New Orleans. While working as Dove's assistant, the two became friends, and Dove granted Derham his freedom. After being freed, Derham started his own practice, making him the first African American to formally practice medicine in the U.S. 1)