James McCune Smith was born before salvery was abolished in New York State, or for that matter, abolished in the United States. Follow the timeline to learn about his life and place in history. 

March 1809 – James Madison sworn in as the 4th President of US. He and his wife, Dolly Madison lived in the White House until 1817.

June 1812 – US delclares war on Great Britain, marking the start of the War of 1812.

April 18, 1813 – James McCune Smith born in New York State.

February 1814 – Shortly after the Battle of New Orleans, the War of 1812 ends.

July 1827 – Slavery abolished in New York State.

1833 – Slavery abolished in Great Britain.

1835 – Smith begins studies at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

1837 – Smith returns to US with a medical degree.

January 1841 – Smith delivered  his leture “Destiny of the People of Color” at a meeting of the Philomathean Society and the Hamilton Society.

1844 – Smith was published in the New York Journal of Medicine: On the Influence of Opium upon the Catamenial Functions

October 1845 – The First Annual Moveable Committe of the Odd Fellows, James McCune Smith attends as a delegate from Hamilton Lodge, No. 710, New York City.

1846 – Free Negro Orphan Asylum appoints Smith as the foundation’s doctor.

October 1847 – Smith spoke at the National Convention of Colored People at Troy, NY.

1856 -  Smith was a member of St. Philip’s parish and a delegate  to 73rd Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

April 1861. US Civil War begins.

September 1862 – The first Emancipation Proclamation (leading to Federal abolition of slavery).

July 1863 – Draft Riots in New York City. The Smith Family moves from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

April 1865 – Civil War Ends. President Lincoln Assassinated.

November 1865 – Smith dies in Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. Smith’s death was reported nationally in the Medical and Surgical Reporter.