Hamilton E. Holmes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hamilton Holmes
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| Born | July 8, 1941 |
| Died | October 26, 1995 (aged 54) |
| Education | Morehouse College University of Georgia (BS) Emory University (MD) |
| Known for | medical doctor, professor, associate dean, medical director of Grady Memorial Hospital |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Orthopedics |
| Institutions | Emory University School of Medicine |
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Hamilton E. Holmes
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1969-72 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | Army Rangers |
Hamilton E. Holmes (born July 8, 1941 – died October 26, 1995) was an American doctor who specialized in orthopedics. This means he was a surgeon who worked with bones and muscles. He is famous for being one of the first two African-American students to attend the University of Georgia.
Holmes also made history as the first African-American student at the Emory University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree there in 1967. Later, he became a professor and an associate dean at the same school.
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Early Life and Family Background
Hamilton E. Holmes was born on July 8, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Alfred, was a businessman in Atlanta. His mother, Isabella, worked as a teacher.
Hamilton was inspired by his grandfather, Hamilton Mayo Holmes, who was also a doctor. His grandfather and uncle, Oliver Wendell Holmes, helped to end segregation on golf courses in Atlanta in 1955. This was a big step towards equal rights.
High School Achievements
Holmes went to Henry McNeal Turner High School. At that time, it was a very respected high school for African-American students in Atlanta. He was a top student and graduated in 1959 as the valedictorian. This means he was the best student in his graduating class. He also played on his high school's football and basketball teams.
Breaking Barriers at College
After high school, Holmes applied to the University of Georgia in 1959. He applied with Charlayne Hunter, another student from his high school. However, both of them were not accepted at first.
Attending Morehouse College
Because he was denied by UGA, Holmes decided to enroll at Morehouse College. He and Charlayne Hunter kept applying to the University of Georgia every three months. While at Morehouse, Holmes joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Admitted to the University of Georgia
In January 1961, after many tries, both Holmes and Hunter were finally accepted into the University of Georgia. Their admission was a very important moment in the history of civil rights. It helped to end segregation in education.
During his time at UGA, Holmes mostly focused on his studies. He lived off campus and went home to Atlanta on weekends. He stayed a member of his fraternity at Morehouse College until 1963. He was also part of two honor societies, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.
Medical School and Career
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Hamilton Holmes continued to break barriers. He became the first African-American student to be accepted into the Emory University School of Medicine. He successfully graduated from Emory in 1967.
Residency and Military Service
After medical school, Holmes started his residency at Detroit General Hospital. A residency is a period of training for new doctors. In 1969, he paused his training to serve in the military. He was an army ranger in Germany. After his military service, he returned to Emory to finish his residency.
Professional Life in Atlanta
Eventually, Holmes opened his own medical practice in Atlanta. He became a professor and an associate dean at the Emory University School of Medicine. He also served as the medical director and head orthopedic surgeon at Grady Memorial Hospital. He was a very respected doctor and leader in the medical field.
Personal Life and Family
Hamilton Holmes was married to Marilyn Vincent Holmes. They had two children together. Their son, Hamilton Jr., also graduated from the University of Georgia. They also had a daughter named Alison.
Holmes was honored in many ways for his achievements. The Holmes-Hunter Academic Building on the University of Georgia campus is named after him. The university also holds the Holmes-Hunter Lectures in his honor. He was a trustee for the University of Georgia Foundation.
Hamilton Holmes passed away in 1995 from heart failure in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lasting Legacy
For some years after graduating, Holmes did not often visit the University of Georgia. He said his time as a student there was "very bad" because of the challenges he faced. However, in the early 1980s, he agreed to help plan the university's 200th anniversary celebration. He also became the first African-American person on the university's Board of Trustees. This showed his commitment to progress.
Places Named in His Honor
Many places and things are named after Hamilton Holmes in his honor. These include:
- The Hamilton E. Holmes Elementary School in East Point, Georgia.
- Hamilton E. Holmes Drive (Highway 280) in Fulton County, Georgia.
- Hamilton Holmes Middle School in King William, Virginia.
- The H.E. Holmes MARTA station in Atlanta.
In 1999, the first special professorship at the University of Georgia named for an African-American was created in his name. In 2001, the University of Georgia Academic Building was named the Holmes/Hunter Academic Building, honoring both him and Charlayne Hunter-Gault. In 2012, Emory University also dedicated a new dorm in his honor, called Hamilton Holmes Hall.
See also
- African-American firsts
- Alpha Phi Alpha brothers
