Cornelius McKane facts for kids

Dr. Cornelius McKane (born February 2, 1862 – died 1912) was an important doctor and teacher from Guyana who also lived in America. With his wife, Alice Woodby McKane, he started medical schools and hospitals in Savannah, Georgia and Monrovia, Liberia. His grandmother encouraged him to use his African heritage to help people. After returning to the United States, the McKanes opened a hospital specifically for African-Americans.

Early Life and Learning

Cornelius McKane was born in Georgetown, Guyana, on February 2, 1862. His great-grandfather on his mother's side was Mannah Funacai, also known as "King George." He was a leader of the Vai people and Dey tribes in what is now Liberia. His daughter, Funicai, was sadly sold into slavery as a child. Funicai's daughter became McKane's mother.

When Cornelius was ten, he moved to Liberia with his parents. At 18, he decided to move to the United States to get an education. There, he met Moses P. Wester, who gave him a place to stay and helped him get a basic education.

In 1882, he went back to Liberia to study local languages and Arabic. He became a teacher in a rural area called Sherbro. He even met the youngest sister of his great-grandmother, who told him, "Tako-neh-ebenu Allah!" (which means "You have come to bring God!"). He then decided to get more education and return to his people as a doctor. He earned medical degrees from the University of Vermont Medical College and Dartmouth Medical College.

Starting His Medical Career

Dr. McKane traveled to Savannah, Georgia, because he heard there was a great need for Black doctors. In 1892, he helped start the Southern Medical Association with three other doctors. By 1904, they welcomed dentists and pharmacists to join their group too.

In 1893, he married Dr. Alice Woodby. Later that same year, they founded the McKane Training School for Nurses. Cornelius managed the school, and Alice was the principal.

Time in Liberia

In 1895, Cornelius McKane and his wife moved to Liberia. There, they opened McKane's Hospital and Training School in Monrovia. However, Alice McKane became very ill with a fever common in Africa. In 1896, the couple returned to Savannah with their daughter, who sadly passed away soon after.

Back in the United States

After returning in 1896, the McKanes started another nursing school and hospital called the McKane Hospital for Women and Children. The hospital often struggled to get enough money, even with many fundraisers. In 1901, the hospital's leaders asked the city of Savannah for financial help. The McKanes disagreed with this idea and decided to leave the hospital. They continued to practice medicine in Savannah on their own.

In 1909, the McKanes were worried about the quality of education for their two sons who were still alive. So, they moved to Boston. There, they continued to work as doctors, focusing on women's health. Cornelius passed away three years later.

Thoughts on Moving to Liberia

Cornelius McKane had spent most of his adult life getting ready to be a helper and a missionary to the people of Liberia and Africa. He often spoke to groups about the great potential of the land and the chances for Black Americans to succeed in Africa. He worked with the American Colonization Society to get money and support for Americans to settle and thrive in Liberia.

However, after he and his wife moved to Liberia, McKane started to have doubts. He found that the American Colonization Society did not support the settlers as they had promised. He felt this lack of support led to many settlers getting sick and dying. He criticized these organizations, saying they "care more for gold than the survival of the republic."

Even though he still believed Liberia could be successful, he later felt that "Africa has her problems that can be best solved by native Africans. Black people must solve the Black problem in America."