Benjamin A. Boseman facts for kids

Benjamin Antony Boseman Jr. (born July 30, 1840 – died February 23, 1881) was an important African-American doctor and politician. He was born in Troy, New York, and was the oldest of five children. His father worked on a steamboat and later sold supplies to soldiers.

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Boseman Jr. went to school at New York Central College from 1854 to 1856. This was like a high school back then. He was very smart and wanted to become a doctor.

Becoming a Doctor

After high school, Benjamin worked with a well-known doctor named Thomas C. Brinsmade in Troy. This was like an internship where he learned a lot about medicine. He then went to medical school at Dartmouth Medical School in 1863 and Bowdoin College's Maine Medical College in 1864.

Serving in the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Benjamin Boseman Jr. became an assistant surgeon for the United States Colored Troops. These were African-American soldiers fighting for the Union (the North). He was stationed at Camp Foster on Hilton Head, South Carolina. His job was to treat sick and wounded soldiers and check new recruits to make sure they were healthy enough to join the army.

Life After the War

After the Civil War ended, Dr. Boseman opened his own medical practice in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1869, he was chosen to be the doctor for the Charleston City Jail. He married Virginia Montgomery, and they had two children, a son named Christopher and a daughter named Ana.

A Leader in Politics

Dr. Boseman was also a very active politician. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives for three terms, from 1868 to 1873. He represented Charleston County.

Fighting for Civil Rights

As a lawmaker, Benjamin Boseman Jr. did something very important in 1870. He introduced South Carolina's first big Civil Rights bill. This bill aimed to give equal rights to all people, especially African Americans, after the war.

Other Important Roles

In 1869, the South Carolina Legislature appointed him and Francis L. Cardozo as trustees for South Carolina College. This college later became the University of South Carolina. He was also appointed to the board that managed the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, which was a hospital for people with mental health issues. In 1872, he was considered for a high state job called Comptroller General (who manages state money), but he decided not to take it.

Charleston's Postmaster

In 1873, the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, appointed Benjamin Boseman Jr. as the postmaster of Charleston. This was a very important job, and he was the first Black person to hold this position in Charleston. He earned a good salary and also invested his money in railroads and mining for a mineral called phosphate. He served as postmaster until he passed away in 1881, at the age of 40.

Images for kids

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  Benjamin Boseman Jr. (standing, far left) with other lawmakers in South Carolina.