Slavery in St. Louis

Esther's Escape of 1855

  • James L. Sweatt III
    James L. Sweatt III became the first Black graduate of Washington University’s School of Medicine in 1962. During his admissions process, he endured excessive scrutiny not faced by white applicants, yet he excelled academically and professionally. Sweat’s achievement represented a major breakthrough in the integration of the university’s professional schools. Sweatt later became a cardiothoracic surgeon, served on the board of Parkland Memorial Hospital, and in 1995 became the first Black president of the Dallas County Medical Society. His determination helped open doors for future generations of Black physicians.
  • Peter Ware
  • Lucinda Patterson: Housing Black Education
  • Name omitted, male, age 50
    Coming soon
  • Commodore Miller
  • Mary Armstead
  • Flora Shirts
    Coming soon
  • Arriana
  • George Carr
  • Tabitha
    Coming soon
  • Joseph
    Joseph, son of Tabitha, was about 25 years old when Shaw purchased him, his mother Tabitha, and his sister, Sarah, in 1848.
  • Bridgette
    Bridgette and her sons Coss and Lewis were enslaved by Henry Shaw.