Daniel Hale Williams was one of the rare individuals who was the painter of his personal life canvas. Born the son of a barber in 1856 (or 1858), he was trained as a barber and shoemaker.
About 1878, he met a Wisconsin doctor and became fascinated with medicine. He enrolled in medical school in 1880 and after graduation, he opened his medical practice.
Throughout his career, he pioneered medical facilities for black Americans, sorely needed in a segregated world.
On July 10, 1893, he performed open heart surgery — at that time, one of only four surgeons worldwide ever to attempt the operation. His patient walked out of the hospital 50 days later. A triumph. 103.txt
