Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 15 October 1998 — Page 11

The Muncie Times, October 15,1998, Page 11 THEY HAD A DREAM

Dr. Hinton Great Teacher

By Reasons and Patrick Dr. William A. Hinton was known for his work in the classroom as well as in the laboratory. He taught at Harvard for more than 40 years and was the first Negro professor in the history of the college. It wasn’t unusual for his students to applaud at the end of a lecture. In the field of medical research. Dr. Hinton was recognized for his pioneering work in the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis. For 38 years, he served as clinical laboratory chief at the Boston Dispensary and as director of the Wasserman Laboratory of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Dr. Hinton developed two diagnostic tests for syphilis which were widely used

throughout the nation. Bom in Chicago, in 1883, Dr. Hinton was a Harvard graduate, class of ‘05, and was also awarded his medical degree cum laude-from Harvard in 1912. After graduation, he plunged into medical research at Massachusetts General Hospital, conducting an exhaustive study of the dreaded social disease. His work at the hospital led to his appointment in 1915 as director of the Wasserman Laboratory and as laboratory chief at the Boston Dispensary. That same year, the dean of Harvard’s medical school appointed Dr. Hinton as an instructor in preventive medicine and hygiene. Later he taught bacteriology and immunology at the Harvard Medical School, Harvard

School of Public Health and at Simmons College. In 1936, he published an authoritative work, “Syphilis and Its Treatment,” which embodied 20 years of laboratory and clinical work. When he was 57, Dr. Hinton lost his leg in an auto accident but he soon returned to both his laboratory and to the classroom. A modest man, Dr. Hinton was awarded the Springam medal by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for his contributions to medicinebut he declined, saying he would prefer to wait until he had earned it. When he was 65, Harvard elevated Dr. Hinton to the rank of clinical professor of bacteriology and ogyThe year before, he was

elected to honorary life membership in the Social Hygiene Assn. That honor was announced on Feb. 4, 1948, in a special Boston radio program in which Massachusetts Gov. Robert F. Bradford took part. T h e governor’s father as dean of Harvard’s medical school had first appointed Dr. Hinton to the faculty. The association cited Dr. Hinton for his laboratory work but pointed out that he had found enjoyment in the classroom where “hundreds

of young doctors and laboratory scientists have come under his influence.” Dr. Hinton died in 1959.

Calvary Missionary Baptist Church 1117 E. Jackson Street • Muncie, Indiana 47305 126th Church Anniversary October 20,1998 • 4:00 p.m. Guest: Antioch Missionary Baptist Church • Muncie, Indiana Pastor Eddie Long Chairperson: Gwen Vanleer • Co-Chairperson: Carol Butts