William J. Sneed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William J. Sneed
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| Born | 1835 Brentwood, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Died | March 17, 1907 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Resting place | Mount Olivet Cemetery |
| Education | University of Nashville |
| Occupation | Surgeon, educator |
| Spouse(s) | Fannie Sneed |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America (1861–1865) |
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Branch
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Confederate States Army |
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Rank
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Surgeon |
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William J. Sneed (born 1835, died 1907) was an American doctor and teacher. He was also a surgeon during the American Civil War. He helped start a very important school called Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. This college was special because it was the first medical school in the Southern United States for African Americans.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William J. Sneed was born in 1835 in a place called Brentwood, Tennessee. He went to the University of Nashville to study medicine. After finishing his studies, he became a surgeon.
Career as a Surgeon and Teacher
Dr. Sneed began his work as a surgeon in Kentucky. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), he served as a doctor for the Confederate States Army. He helped many soldiers who were injured in the war.
After the war, Dr. Sneed became a professor at his old school, the University of Nashville. By 1870, he was teaching surgery. In 1873, he also started teaching anatomy, which is the study of the body's structure. He continued teaching even when the medical department became part of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Founding Meharry Medical College
One of Dr. Sneed's most important achievements was helping to create Meharry Medical College in 1876. He worked with George W. Hubbard and Reverend John Braden to start this school. It was founded to train African Americans to become doctors. Many of these students had been enslaved before the Civil War. Meharry Medical College was the first medical school in the South for African Americans. This was a huge step forward for education and healthcare.
Personal Life
Dr. Sneed was married twice. His first wife was Hannie Sugars. She passed away in 1900. Later, in 1903, he married Fannie Sullivan. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and also a Master Mason in a group called Freemasonry.
Later Years and Death
William J. Sneed passed away on March 17, 1907, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 72 years old. He was buried at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
