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Birth of Andreson Ruffin Abbott
Andreson Ruffin Abbott was born on April, 7th, 1837 to Wilson Ruffin Abbott and Ellen Toyer. His parents moved to Toronto in 1835 from New York and Orleans. He was born to a wealthy family who had over 50 properties in the area. -
Education
Abbott had a good education from a small age as he went to the Buxton Mission School who was noted for the high standard of education. He also studied in the Toronto Academy and the Oberlin College, Ohio. In 1857, he went to University College, Toronto to study chemistry and in 1858, he began to study at the Toronto School of medicine. -
Graduation at Toronto School of Medicine
In 1860, Abbott graduated from the Toronto School of Medicine. After graduating, he began to learn from Alexander Thomas Augusta who was an African American doctor who came to Toronto. -
First Black Canadian Doctor
In 1861, Abbott received his license to be able to practice medicine, thus being the first Black Canadian Doctor. -
American Civil War
After being rejected as an assistant surgeon in the Union Army, Abbott applied for a medical cadet in a black regiment. Even though he applied for a medical cadet, he was accepted as a civilian surgeon. -
U.S. Hospitals
During the Civil War, Abbott served in many U.S. Hospitals from 1863 to 1865 such as Freedmen's Hospital and a Hospital in Arlington, Virginia. -
Marriage
On August 9th, 1871, Mary Ann Casey was married to Andreson Ruffin Abbott. After moving to Chatham, Ontario they lived there and had 3 daughters and 2 sons. -
Wilberforce Educational Institute
From 1873 to 1880, he was the president of the Wilberforce Educational Institute and was an activist for racially segregated schools in Canada. -
Management Committee
In 1885, Abbott became chairman of the town's management committee until 1889. -
Provident Hospital
In 1896, Abbott accepted an offer at Provident Hospital, Chicago, Illinois to become medical Superintendent. Provident Hospital was a training hospital for black nurses. -
Retirement
Once Abbott retired and returned to Toronto, he began to write about Black History. He also contributed to many magazines such as the Colored American Magazine and the Anglo American Magazine. As Andreson Abbott was one of the doctors assisting Abraham Lincoln after he was assassinated one of his publications was "Some recollections of Lincoln's assassination." -
Death of Andreson Ruffin Abbott
Andreson Ruffin Abbott died on December 29th 1913 in Toronto
