William Augustus Hinton
Encyclopedia
William Augustus Hinton was a black bacteriologist
, pathologist
and educator. Hinton was the first black professor in the history of Harvard University
. A pioneer in the field of public health, Hinton developed a test for syphilis
which, because of its accuracy, was used by the United States Public Health Service
.
before transferring to Harvard University
, where he earned a B.S. degree in 1905. Following his graduation, he taught in Tennessee and Oklahoma. During the summers he continued his studies in bacteriology and physiology
at the University of Chicago
. In 1909, Hinton enrolled in Harvard Medical School
. With the aid of two prestigious scholarships he was able to graduate with honors in 1912.
--subjects he would teach at Harvard for over thirty years.
In 1936 Hinton published the first medical textbook by a black American: Syphilis and Its Treatment.
Hinton turned down the NAACP's 1938 Spingarn Medal
award because he wanted his work to stand on its own merit; he was concerned that his work would not be as well-received if it was widely known in his profession that he was black.
In 1948, in recognition of his contributions as a serologist
and public health bacteriologist, Hinton was elected a life member of the American Social Science Association
. The serology lab at the Massachusetts Public Health Department's Laboratory Institute Building was named for him.
. Also, he served as a special consultant to the U.S. Public Health Service.
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
, pathologist
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
and educator. Hinton was the first black professor in the history of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. A pioneer in the field of public health, Hinton developed a test for syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
which, because of its accuracy, was used by the United States Public Health Service
United States Public Health Service
The Public Health Service Act of 1944 structured the United States Public Health Service as the primary division of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare , which later became the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The PHS comprises all Agency Divisions of Health and...
.
Education
He studied at the University of KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
before transferring to Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, where he earned a B.S. degree in 1905. Following his graduation, he taught in Tennessee and Oklahoma. During the summers he continued his studies in bacteriology and physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In 1909, Hinton enrolled in Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
. With the aid of two prestigious scholarships he was able to graduate with honors in 1912.
Early career
Hinton returned to Harvard Medical School in 1918 as an instructor in preventive medicine and hygiene. In 1921 he began teaching bacteriology and immunologyImmunology
Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the...
--subjects he would teach at Harvard for over thirty years.
International Recognition
Hinton became internationally known as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. His serological test for syphilis, which proved to be more accurate than currently accepted tests, was endorsed by the U.S. Public Health Service in 1934. Hinton's test also was simple, quick, and unambiguous.In 1936 Hinton published the first medical textbook by a black American: Syphilis and Its Treatment.
Hinton turned down the NAACP's 1938 Spingarn Medal
Spingarn Medal
The Spingarn Medal is awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for outstanding achievement by an African American....
award because he wanted his work to stand on its own merit; he was concerned that his work would not be as well-received if it was widely known in his profession that he was black.
In 1948, in recognition of his contributions as a serologist
Serology
Serology is the scientific study of blood serum and other bodily fluids. In practice, the term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum...
and public health bacteriologist, Hinton was elected a life member of the American Social Science Association
American Social Science Association
In 1865, at Boston, Massachusetts, a society for the study of social questions was organized and given the name American Social Science Association. The group grew to where its membership totaled about 1,000 persons. About 30 corresponding members were located in Europe...
. The serology lab at the Massachusetts Public Health Department's Laboratory Institute Building was named for him.
Later career
Although Hinton retired from Harvard in 1950, he continued to teach there for several years and served as a physician at the Mass Hospital School for Crippled Children in Canton, Massachusetts. Until 1953, he served as physician-in-chief of the Department of Clinical Laboratories of the Boston DispensaryBoston Dispensary
The Boston Dispensary or Boston Medical Dispensary provided for "medical relief of the poor" in Boston, Massachusetts, from the late 18th century through the mid-20th century...
. Also, he served as a special consultant to the U.S. Public Health Service.