WASHINGTON, Benjamin Emerson (1883-1961)

Dr. Benjamin Emerson Washington was Blount County’s first African-American physician. A graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN, he practiced there his entire life – serving the Oldfield Community in Alcoa Hall. He was born in 1883 in Natchez, Mississippi and married wife Lula in 1918 in McMinnville, Warren County, TN.  He moved to Alcoa in 1921 and died in 1961.

Here is a picture of Dr. Emerson when young.

WashingtonBenjaminEmerson_photo

And, a February 19, 1992 newspaper article about his life.

WashingtonBenjaminEmerson_article

 

Many thanks to the Family Griot for sharing the photo and newspaper article!