St. Elmo Brady facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. Elmo Brady
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| Born | December 22, 1884 |
| Died | December 25, 1966 (aged 82) |
| Alma mater | Fisk University (BA) University of Illinois (MS), (PhD) |
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Saint Elmo Brady (December 22, 1884 – December 25, 1966) was an important American chemist. He made history by becoming the first African American to earn a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in chemistry in the United States. He received this top degree from the University of Illinois in 1916.
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Early Life and Education
Saint Elmo Brady was born on December 22, 1884, in Louisville, Kentucky. He was inspired by Thomas W. Talley, who was a leader in teaching science. Brady earned his first degree from Fisk University in 1908. He was 24 years old at the time.
Right after college, he started teaching at Tuskegee University in Alabama. He also had a close relationship with and was guided by famous leaders like Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver.
In 1912, he received a scholarship to study at the University of Illinois. This allowed him to continue his education. Saint Elmo Brady was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
While at the University of Illinois, Brady published several scientific papers. He worked with his professors on important chemistry research. He earned his Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Chemistry in 1914. Then, he completed his Ph.D. in 1916. His Ph.D. research was about something called "The Divalent Oxygen Atom."
Years later, he shared a story with his students. He said that when he started graduate school, there were 20 white students and one other (himself). By the time he finished in 1916, only six white students and he remained. This shows how challenging his journey was.
Amazing Achievements
Saint Elmo Brady made history in many ways. He was the first African American to get a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States. He earned this degree from the University of Illinois in 1916.
During his time at the University of Illinois, Brady was also the first African American to join the university's chemistry honor society, Phi Lambda Upsilon, in 1914. He was also one of the first African Americans to be welcomed into Sigma Xi, which is a science honor society, in 1915. These groups recognize students who are excellent in their studies.
In November 1916, a magazine called The Crisis featured Brady. This magazine was published by the NAACP. They chose him as their "Man of the Month" because of his important achievements.
Teaching and Leadership
After finishing his studies, Brady taught at Tuskegee University from 1916 to 1920. In 1920, he moved to Howard University in Washington, D.C., to teach. He later became the head of Howard University's Chemistry Department.
In 1927, he went back to Fisk University to lead their Chemistry department. He stayed at Fisk for 25 years, until he retired in 1952. While at Fisk, Brady did something very special. He started the first-ever graduate studies program at a Black college or university. This helped many students continue their education.
After retiring from Fisk, he continued to teach at Tougaloo College in Mississippi.
Brady's lasting impact comes from his work building strong science programs. He helped create excellent undergraduate and graduate programs at four historically Black colleges and universities. He also helped raise money for these schools. He even helped start a special summer science program for college professors.
Today, a building on the Fisk University campus is named Talley-Brady Hall. It honors both Saint Elmo Brady and Thomas W. Talley.
Personal Life and Death
Saint Elmo Brady was married to Myrtle Travers. They had two sons, Robert and St. Elmo Brady, Jr. His son, St. Elmo Brady, Jr., became a doctor.
Saint Elmo Brady passed away on December 25, 1966, in Washington, D.C. He was 82 years old.
See also
- Edward Bouchet (1852–1918), first African American to earn a Ph.D. from any American university (in physics at Yale in 1876)
- Edward Marion Augustus Chandler (1887–1973), second African American to obtain a PhD in chemistry (1917)
- Percy Lavon Julian (1899–1975), third African American to obtain a PhD in chemistry (1931)
- Marie Maynard Daly (1921–2003), first female African American to obtain a PhD in chemistry (1947)
