Dr. Charles Victor Roman was a physician, professor, author, and activist. He authored a number of well-known literary works, including “Knowledge of History are Conducive to Racial Solidarity” (1911), “Science and Christian Ethics” (1913), “American Civilization and the Negro” (1916), and “Meharry Medical College: A History.”

Roman was born in Williamsport, Pennslyvania but spent most of his childhood growing up in Ontario, Canada. After completing high school, Roman attended the Hamilton Collegiate Institute in Ontario where he graduated in 1886. He later attended Meharry Medical College where he graduated in 1890 and later receiving a Master of Arts in Philosophy and History from Fisk University.

From 1890 to 1893, he practiced medicine in Clarksville, TN. He relocated to Dallas and from 1893 until 1904. Roman was founder and first head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology at Meharry Medical College. He remained at Meharry for the rest of his professional career.

Dr. Roman’s writings and orations urged African-Americans to support Black churches, retail establishments, medical facilities, banks, and schools.

sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2837430/