Samuel Ford McGill facts for kids

Samuel Ford McGill (born January 1815 – died June 26, 1871) was an important person in Liberia. He was a doctor and a leader. He served as the governor of a place called Maryland in Liberia from 1851 to 1854. Samuel was born free in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. He moved to Liberia in 1826 when he was about 11 years old.

Samuel McGill's Early Life and Education

Samuel Ford McGill's brother, Urias McGill

Samuel Ford McGill was born in January 1815. His parents, George R. and Angelina R. McGill, lived in Baltimore, Maryland. Samuel's father, George, was born into slavery but later became a free man. Samuel was the oldest son in their family.

In 1826, Samuel and his parents moved to Liberia. They settled in a city called Monrovia. Samuel's father, George, had good connections with the people who started the American Colonization Society. This group helped free Black people move from the United States to Liberia. George held important jobs in the colony, including being a vice agent for a year.

In 1827, the state of Maryland started its own group, the Maryland State Colonization Society. This group was separate from the American Colonization Society. Samuel's brother-in-law, John Brown Russwurm, became the first governor of the colony started by this Maryland group.

Samuel's Journey to Medical School

In 1835, Samuel's father, George, reached out to Moses Sheppard. Mr. Sheppard was a former member of the Maryland State Colonization Society. George asked for help to raise money so Samuel could go to medical school in the United States. Samuel wanted to become a doctor in Liberia.

Mr. Sheppard helped Samuel get a spot at Washington Medical College in Baltimore. He warned Samuel about racism in America. Samuel had grown up in Liberia and didn't know much about it. In November 1836, Samuel started his classes. But by December, white students protested, and he was forced to leave the school.

Mr. Sheppard then found a new opportunity for Samuel. He contacted a medical professor named Edward Elisha Phelps at the University of Vermont. Samuel became an apprentice to Professor Phelps in Vermont in 1837. Professor Phelps thought Samuel was ready to be a doctor. However, Samuel wanted a proper medical degree.

So, Professor Phelps helped Samuel get into Dartmouth College. In June 1839, Samuel earned his medical degree from Dartmouth with high honors. Samuel McGill was the first African-American person to earn a medical degree.

Samuel McGill's Career and Leadership

When Samuel McGill returned to Liberia, he was the first Black doctor in the country. For the next ten years, he taught other people in the colony about medicine.

In 1851, Samuel's brother-in-law, Governor Russwurm, passed away. Samuel McGill was then chosen to be the acting Governor of Maryland in Liberia. Later, he became the official governor of the colony. He served as governor until June 8, 1854, when Maryland in Liberia became independent.

After his time as governor, in 1854, Samuel McGill joined his brothers Urias, James, and R. S. McGill. They started a trading company called McGill Brothers. This company became one of the most important businesses in Liberia during its early years.

Samuel McGill's Family Life

Samuel McGill was married two times. He had seven children with his first wife. He had three more children with his second wife.

Samuel McGill's Passing

Samuel McGill passed away on June 26, 1871.