May 11, 1976
National Register of Historic Places - Charles Richard Drew House
Statement of Significant: Through the efforts of Charles Richard Drew, thousands of American lives were saved on the battle- field as well as millions since who have needed lifesaving transfusions of blood plasma. Drew had the distinction of being the first Afro-American to receive the Doctor of Science in Medicine degree. He received international recognition as both a humanitarian and scientist providing the leadership for the Plasma for Britain Program. It was Charles R. Drew who personally initiated the program which ultimately led to the large reserves of plasma at the outbreak of American involvement in World War II. A man of conscience, when the policies of the Government were shown to be racist (only the blood of whites could be used for plasma used by white soldiers), Dr. Drew resigned, but only after the program was clearly successful. Dr. Drew headed the Department of Surgery at Howard University producing the doctors that would eventually lower the barriers of prejudice in the medical profession. Drew also served as a surgical consultant for the military, travelling inter- nationally to investigate the medical services which were provided by the Armed Forces. A sought-after lecturer, Dr. Drew was the pioneer researcher who provided the basis upon which numerous advances in science have been made. BIOGRAPHY Charles Richard Drew was born in Washington, D. C. on June 3, 1904 to Richard and Nora Drew. As a child, Charles was most active and by age eleven had won a first-place medal in a city-wide swimming meet. Educated in the primary schools of his neighborhood, Drew proceeded to Dunbar High where he excelled as both a scholar and as an athlete. Charles Drew added much to campus life while a student at Dunbar. He participated in the school's various athletic programs including football, basketball and track. Not only a good athlete, Charles was an all-around good student. Because of his active secondary educational background, Drew won an athletic scholarship to Amherst College, which had long accepted Dunbar graduates of high recommendation and good academic achievement. Drew's years at Amherst were by no standards easy. Being from a poor family, money was but one of the myriads of problems which he faced. At one point, Drew was confronted by the Dean of the College about the many athletic activities in which he participated and his objectives as a scholar. It was at this point that he decided upon a career in medicine rather than sports.
National Register of Historic Places - Charles Richard Drew House
Statement of Significant: Through the efforts of Charles Richard Drew, thousands of American lives were saved on the battle- field as well as millions since who have needed lifesaving transfusions of blood plasma. Drew had the distinction of being the first Afro-American to receive the Doctor of Science in Medicine degree. He received international recognition as both a humanitarian and scientist providing the leadership for the Plasma for Britain Program. It was Charles R. Drew who personally initiated the program which ultimately led to the large reserves of plasma at the outbreak of American involvement in World War II. A man of conscience, when the policies of the Government were shown to be racist (only the blood of whites could be used for plasma used by white soldiers), Dr. Drew resigned, but only after the program was clearly successful. Dr. Drew headed the Department of Surgery at Howard University producing the doctors that would eventually lower the barriers of prejudice in the medical profession. Drew also served as a surgical consultant for the military, travelling inter- nationally to investigate the medical services which were provided by the Armed Forces. A sought-after lecturer, Dr. Drew was the pioneer researcher who provided the basis upon which numerous advances in science have been made. BIOGRAPHY Charles Richard Drew was born in Washington, D. C. on June 3, 1904 to Richard and Nora Drew. As a child, Charles was most active and by age eleven had won a first-place medal in a city-wide swimming meet. Educated in the primary schools of his neighborhood, Drew proceeded to Dunbar High where he excelled as both a scholar and as an athlete. Charles Drew added much to campus life while a student at Dunbar. He participated in the school's various athletic programs including football, basketball and track. Not only a good athlete, Charles was an all-around good student. Because of his active secondary educational background, Drew won an athletic scholarship to Amherst College, which had long accepted Dunbar graduates of high recommendation and good academic achievement. Drew's years at Amherst were by no standards easy. Being from a poor family, money was but one of the myriads of problems which he faced. At one point, Drew was confronted by the Dean of the College about the many athletic activities in which he participated and his objectives as a scholar. It was at this point that he decided upon a career in medicine rather than sports.
May 11, 1976
Posted Date
Jul 11, 2023
Historical Record Date
May 11, 1976
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
