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About Rebecca Lee Crumpler
Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler was the first African American woman to graduate Medical School and to earn the M.D. degree in the United States. Crumpler was born in Delaware on the 8th of February in 1833, by her biological parents, Absolum Davis and Matilda Webber. She was raised in Pennsylvania with her aunt. It is unknown what has happened to Crumpler's parents. Her aunt spent
most of her time caring for the sick neighbors which may have influenced Crumpler's interest in medicine.
Crumpler's quote from her 'Book of Medical Discources',"...having been reared by a kind aunt in Pennsylvania whose usefulness with the sick continually sought, I early conceived a liking for, and sought every opportunity to relieve the sufferings of others."
She Was Liked
By 1852, Crumpler moved to Charlestown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. She worked as a nurse there for eight years. The doctors whom Crumpler worked with were impressed with her work even without any formal training. They persuaded her to the New England Female Medical College. In 1859, she took the advice.
"Later in life, I devoted my time to nursing as a business serving under different doctors for a period of eight years."