John van Salee de Grasse

Dr. John van Salee de Grasse (1825- ) was the first African-American to be formally educated as a doctor in the United States. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and served as a surgeon during the American Civil War. His sister Serena was married to New York restauranteur and abolitionist George Downing. van Salee de Grasse was a descendant of Jan Janszoon through his son Abraham Janszoon van Salee and a black mistress.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ "The Van Salee Family", PBS. Accessed 10 september 2011
  2. ^ "Light, bright, and damned near white: biracial and triracial culture in America", Stephanie Rose Bird. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2009. ISBN 0275989542, 9780275989545. p. 39

See also