Alexander Thomas Augusta was born free in Norfolk, Virginia, and, after being denied admission to American medical schools because of his race, travelled to Toronto, Canada, where he earned his medical degree from Trinity Medical College in 1856. He established a successful medical practice in Toronto, treating both Black and white patients, before returning to the United States as the Civil War approached.
In 1863, Augusta became the first Black surgeon commissioned in the U.S. Army, appointed with the rank of major, the highest rank held by any Black officer during the Civil War at the time of his commission. He served as head physician at Camp Barker's Freedmen's Hospital in Washington, D.C., providing medical care to formerly enslaved people, despite facing repeated attacks and discrimination from white soldiers and civilians, including a notable assault while wearing his officer's uniform.
After the war, Augusta became one of the founding faculty members of Howard University's medical department, becoming the first Black professor of medicine at an American medical school. He continued practising medicine in Washington, D.C., for the remainder of his career, and upon his death in 1890 he became the first Black officer buried with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery.
- First Black surgeon commissioned in the U.S. Army (1863)
- Highest-ranking Black officer in the U.S. Army at the time of his commission
- First Black professor of medicine at an American medical school (Howard University)
- First Black officer buried with full military honours at Arlington National Cemetery
- Exclusion can be circumvented, not just endured.. Denied U.S. medical education, he earned his degree in Canada instead.
- Service can proceed despite hostility.. He continued treating patients even after being physically attacked for his rank and race.
- Institutional firsts create lasting infrastructure.. His role founding Howard's medical faculty helped train generations of Black physicians.