Lucy Hobbs Taylor
Encyclopedia
Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first American
woman to graduate from dental school (Ohio College of Dental Surgery
in 1866).
. She entered the working world by teaching school for ten years in Michigan
. In 1859, she moved to Cincinnati, intending to become a dentist. When she was refused admission to dental school
, she began a private program of study with a professor from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery
.
and then McGregor, Iowa
, where she spent three years. In 1865, she finally gained all professional recognition when she was allowed to join the Iowa State Dental Society. That November, she entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, where in 1866 she earned her doctorate in dentistry, becoming the first woman in the US to do so. She later wrote, "People were amazed when they learned that a young girl had so far forgotten her womanhood as to want to study dentistry."
Hobbs next moved to Chicago where she met James M. Taylor whom she married in April 1867, becoming Lucy Taylor. Taylor then convinced her husband to also enter dentistry. The two then moved to Lawrence, Kansas
, where they practiced jointly until James Taylor died in 1886. After her husband's death, Lucy Taylor ceased to be an active dentist, but became more active in politics, campaigning for greater women's rights, until her own death on October 3, 1910.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
woman to graduate from dental school (Ohio College of Dental Surgery
Ohio College of Dental Surgery
The Ohio College of Dental Surgery opened in 1845 in Cincinnati, Ohio, becoming the second private dental college in the world. The college affiliated itself with the University of Cincinnati in 1887, but closed in 1926. During its years of operation, the college notably educated Lucy Hobbs...
in 1866).
Early life
Lucy Hobbs was born on March 14, 1833 in Constable, New YorkConstable, New York
Constable is a town in Franklin County, New York, United States. The population was 1,428 at the 2000 census. The town is named after William Constable, a member of the syndicate of original land owners....
. She entered the working world by teaching school for ten years in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. In 1859, she moved to Cincinnati, intending to become a dentist. When she was refused admission to dental school
Dental school
A dental school is a tertiary educational institution—or part of such an institution—that teaches dentistry. Upon successful completion, the graduate receives a degree in Dentistry, which, depending upon the jurisdiction, might be a bachelor's degree, master's degree, a professional degree, or a...
, she began a private program of study with a professor from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery
Ohio College of Dental Surgery
The Ohio College of Dental Surgery opened in 1845 in Cincinnati, Ohio, becoming the second private dental college in the world. The college affiliated itself with the University of Cincinnati in 1887, but closed in 1926. During its years of operation, the college notably educated Lucy Hobbs...
.
Dental career
After studying dentistry, Lucy Hobbs started her own practice in Cincinnati in 1861. She soon moved to BellevueBellevue, Iowa
Bellevue is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the Mississippi River , next to Bellevue State Park....
and then McGregor, Iowa
McGregor, Iowa
McGregor is a city in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 871 at the 2000 census. McGregor is located on the Mississippi River across from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Pike's Peak State Park is located just south of the city...
, where she spent three years. In 1865, she finally gained all professional recognition when she was allowed to join the Iowa State Dental Society. That November, she entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, where in 1866 she earned her doctorate in dentistry, becoming the first woman in the US to do so. She later wrote, "People were amazed when they learned that a young girl had so far forgotten her womanhood as to want to study dentistry."
Hobbs next moved to Chicago where she met James M. Taylor whom she married in April 1867, becoming Lucy Taylor. Taylor then convinced her husband to also enter dentistry. The two then moved to Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
, where they practiced jointly until James Taylor died in 1886. After her husband's death, Lucy Taylor ceased to be an active dentist, but became more active in politics, campaigning for greater women's rights, until her own death on October 3, 1910.