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Distinguished African American Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers

African Americans have made significant contributions to science, engineering, and medicine. Many of these researchers, scholars, and practitioners had to overcome tremendous obstacles. New knowledge born from their brilliance and perseverance has benefited humankind.

Over 25 years ago, the African American History Program (AAHP) began as a staff-based initiative in the form of a portrait collection created to raise awareness of the contributions made by an often marginalized group within our society.  Now expanded and online, it includes African American citizens of the United States who have made significant contributions in science, engineering, or medicine. These individuals have demonstrated distinguished achievements in original research, important publications or other contributions to theory and practice in a specific field, or unusual accomplishments in pioneering new and developing areas of science, medicine, or technology. Also included in this distinguished group are historical figures from other fields that paved the way legally, politically, and socially for African Americans that followed.  Through their work, these individuals have made a positive and significant impact in their fields and on society.

Note: This site is currently under construction.  Citations, credits and additional references are being added.  If you have questions please either contact AAHP directly (aahp@nas.edu) or check back to this site. 

A
GEORGE E. ALCORN
ARCHIE A. ALEXANDER
HAROLD AMOS
WANDA M. AUSTIN

B
BENJAMIN BANNEKER
MARY McLEOD BETHUNE
KEITH L. BLACK
DAVID HAROLD BLACKWELL
LAWRENCE D. BOBO
EDWARD ALEXANDER BOUCHET
RANDOLPH W. BROMERY
EMERY N. BROWN
RALPH J. BUNCHE

C
ALEXA I. CANADY
GEORGE CARRUTHERS
BENJAMIN SOLOMON CARSON, SR.
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
JEWEL PLUMMER COBB
W. MONTAGUE COBB

D
CHRISTINE VONCILE MANN DARDEN
HAILE T. DEBAS
CHARLES R. DREW
WILLIAM E.B. DuBOIS 
RHETAUGH GRAVES DUMAS

E
JENNIFER L. EBERHARDT
MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN
SCOTT V. EDWARDS

F
VERNICE FERGUSON
HENRY W. FOSTER, JR.
JOSEPH S. FRANCISCO

G
SYLVESTER JAMES GATES, JR.
JAMES RAPHAEL GAVIN III
EVELYN BOYD GRANVILLE
MEREDITH GOURDINE

H
BEATRIX A. HAMBURG
BERNARD A. HARRIS, JR.
BETTY W. HARRIS
JAMES A. HARRIS
WESLEY HARRIS
W. LINCOLN HAWKINS
RUBY PURYEAR HEARN
JOHN L.S. HOLLOMAN, JR.
DONALD R. HOPKINS
FREEMAN A. HRABOWSKI III

I

J
SHIRLEY A. JACKSON
ANTHONY A. JAMES
MAE C. JEMISON
HOWARD S. JONES, JR.
PERCY L. JULIAN
ERNEST E. JUST

K

L
RISA LAVIZZO-MOUREY
CATO T. LAURENCIN
LaSALLE D. LEFFALL JR.

M
SHIRLEY M. MALCOM
FLOYD J. MALVEAUX
AUDREY FORBES MANLEY
CORA BAGLEY MARRETT
SAMUEL P. MASSIE
GARRETT AUGUSTUS MORGAN, SR.


N
SAMUEL M. NABRIT

O
KENNETH OLDEN

P
WILLIE PEARSON, JR.
ARLIE OSWALD PETTERS
RODERIC IVAN PETTIGREW
VIVIAN W. PINN

Q

R
E. ALBERT REECE
JENNIFER A. RICHESON

S
DAVID SATCHER
HERBERT C. SCURLOCK
JOHN BROOKS SLAUGHTER
MITCHELL W. SPELLMAN
LOUIS W. SULLIVAN

T
VIVIEN THOMAS
GERALD THOMSON
REED V. TUCKSON
CHARLES HENRY TURNER

U

V

W
WARREN M. WASHINGTON
JAMES E. WEST
JACK E. WHITE
DANIEL HALE WILLIAMS
DONALD E. WILSON
WILLIAM JULIUS WILSON
CARTER G. WOODSON

X

Y

TILAHUN D. YILMA
M. WHARTON YOUNG

Z

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