Interview
Mr. Breadon: Hello, Dr. Williams.
Dr. Williams: Hello.
Mr. Breadon: Thank you for coming. Today I would like to ask you some questions to learn more about you, your career, your accomplishments, and the state of society as you were working hard to become a doctor, if you don't mind.
Dr. Williams: I don't mind at all, Mr. Breadon, I would be glad to answer your questions.
Mr. Breadon: Did you think you were interested in becoming a surgeon in your early childhood years?
Dr. Williams: I never really thought about it when I was really young. There came a time when I knew that I wanted to do something with my life, and be successful.
Mr. Breadon: What led you in that direction?
Dr. Williams: Well, I watched my father work hard as a barber. After he died of tuberculosis, my mother struggled to make ends meet and was unable to care and provide for us. By the time I was eleven, my siblings and I were left orphans. I was an apprentice to a cobbler at a very young age, then I learned to cut hair and worked as a barber, and later was a laborer on a lake steamer. I knew that I wasn't interested in that kind of labor, and I didn't want to struggle like my mother did. I knew I wanted to do better, but I wasn't sure how. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Were there any specific reasons or events that sparked your interest in the medical field?
Dr. Williams: After I moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, I met Dr. Henry Palmer, the Surgeon General of Wisconsin. I was working as a barber at that time, but I requested a position as Dr. Palmer's assistant. I was given that position and was fascinated by his work, which sparked my interest in medicine. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Did you have any mentors that helped develop your talents or interests?
Dr. Williams: After I graduated from high school, I began following the example of my older brother and studied law for awhile. He was heading down the right path. I saw his talents and success and new that if he could be successful it was possible for me also. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Was there any other mentors?
Dr. Williams: Yes, Dr. Henry Palmer, of course. He took me under his wing and gave me the job as his apprentice. He was a remarkable surgeon. I was fascinated by him and his work, and wanted to follow in his path. I read every medical journal and text that I could get my hands on to increase my knowledge. Dr. Palmer helped me apply for admission to the Chicago Medical School, which was a top medical school and is now known as Northwestern University. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What was the state of knowledge that existed in the medical field when you began your work?
Dr. Williams: There were very few physicians that had formal training from a medical school. Most learned through two-year apprenticeships. Doctors, including myself, were beginning to benefit from the discoveries of Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister. Pasteur studied and experimented with germs and bacteria. Lister used Pasteur's theories and revolutionized surgery by using antiseptics to kill germs. (http://www.answers.com/topic/daniel-williams, http://www.answers.com/topic/louis-pasteur) Technological development and new medical discoveries were happening at that time, and African Americans played an important part in it, but it was very hard for us to be accepted in the medical field. (http://www.africawithin.com/jeffries/aapart31.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What was one of your first major accomplishments that you were really proud of?
Dr. Williams: Graduating from medical school with an M.D.
Mr. Breadon: Is there a particular reason why you choose that as your first major accomplishment?
Dr. Williams: Yes, I was left homeless as a young child, but was lucky enough to find generous people to open up their homes to me, which allowed me to finish high school. Many people left in my situation probably wouldn't have even been able to do that. As I mentioned earlier, it was also very difficult for African Americans in the medical field. Opportunities for us were very limited. We were denied privileges in hospitals, and even treatment. It was also very difficult for us to even get accepted into medical school and receive the training needed. I think the fact that I was able to finish high school and graduate from medical school with a degree is a great accomplishment. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Yes, that is quite an honor and something to be very proud of. Now, Dr. Williams, one thing that many people know about you is that you performed the first successful open heart surgery. Can you tell me about that?
Dr. Williams: Sure, back in 1893, a young man by the name of James Cornish was stabbed in the chest with a knife during a bar fight. By the time he arrived at the hospital his pulse was very weak and he was going into shock. His condition was deteriorating quickly. I was faced with making a decision to open the man's chest and operating internally. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Back in 1893, that was not a common procedure, was it?
Dr. Williams: No, Mr. Breadon, it wasn't. Internal operations were unheard of. It was almost a sure thing, that opening up a chest cavity would result in infection and death. (http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: What made you think operating was the best thing to do?
Dr. Williams: I knew that Mr. Cornish had internal bleeding because his vitals were weak and he was going into shock. I knew that he was not going to survive if the bleeding wasn't stopped. It was the only option to give him some kind of a chance to live. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: So, after you opened the chest cavity, what did you find?
Dr. Williams: Mr. Cornish had damage to the pericardium. (http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: What kind of damage, and what did you have to do to fix it?
Dr. Williams: He had a pierced blood vessel and a tear to the pericardium, which is the sac surrounding the heart. I sutured it and applied antiseptics before closing the chest to try and prevent infections. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Very impressive, Dr. Williams! Where did you perform the open heart surgery?
Dr. Williams: At Provident Hospital in Chicago.
Mr. Breadon: You mentioned earlier that opportunities for African American physicians were limited, and it was also difficult for them to receive treatment. Was this an issue in treating Mr. Cornish?
Mr. Williams: No, it wasn't a problem. I'm actually the founder of Provident Hospital, the first African American owned hospital in the United States. (http://www.providentfoundation.org/history/williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Wow, another great accomplishment! What prompted you to get involved with something like that?
Mr. Williams: A lot of things, but a woman by the name of Emma Reynolds approached me for help after she was refused admission by every nursing school in the area. I was tired of seeing qualified African Americans denied education and patients given second-class medical care, so I started a new venture. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Was Provident Hospital only for African Americans?
Dr. Williams: No, it was not. Both African American doctors and White doctors were employed and treated at the hospital. I did only accept qualified applicants and required that the doctors keep on top of the latest advances in medicine. I insisted on the highest standards of treatment and sanitary conditions. I wanted to provide the best available care to everyone. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: How did you find qualified African American applicants since it was hard for them to obtain education and training?
Dr. Williams: I also opened the first nursing school for African Americans at Provident Hospital.
Mr. Breadon: You were a very busy man. Can you just quickly name off some of your other accomplishments, honors, and successes?
Dr. Williams: Well, I was the first African American appointed to the Illinois State Board of Health, I served as Chief Surgeon at Freedmen's Hospital in Washington DC, I helped organize the National Medical Association and served as Vice President. I eventually returned to Provident Hospital and served as Chief of Surgery and performed another breakthrough operation by suturing a patient's spleen. (http://www.providentfoundation.org/history/williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: You have a lot to be proud of. You have certainly made a difference in the lives of many people.
Dr. Williams: Thank you.
Mr. Breadon: So, what was the state of the medical field when you started, and how did it impact you and your work?
Dr. Williams: Well, medical treatment was primitive when I began as a doctor. People received medical care in their homes. I even done surgeries on kitchen tables occasionally. In that era, there were no anesthesiologists, x-ray machines, or high tech medical equipment. As I said before, many physicians didn't even have formal training. The 1880s was the beginning of a new era in the medical field. Antiseptics had surfaced, thanks to Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister, which was a benefit to me. (http://www.answers.com/topic/daniel-williams) I used their antiseptic and sterilization procedures to disinfect everything. The antiseptics helped cut back on disease, infections, and patient deaths. Doctors and surgeons from all over the country heard about my success and came to observe my procedures. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Did you have any limitations as a doctor or as a person?
Dr. Williams: Not really. I was aware that opportunities for black physicians were limited when I began my career, but I didn't let that stand in my way. Sometimes it was difficult, but my purpose in life is to help any one that I can and make a difference for people. I thrive on learning and success. I have no limits, and as long as I'm able I will continue to get involved, participate in organizations, and educate myself as much as I can.
Mr. Breadon: What was going on in the time period of your career, how was life, what did people do, what cultural situations took place?
Dr. Williams: Many people were poor, but at the beginning of the century, with the rise of industries, more goods were available and people were able to buy more than they ever had. The U.S. was still more rural than urban, but we were benefiting from agriculture and natural resources. For fun, families would go to a baseball games or amusement parks. Family picnics, fishing, and community socials were the popular things to do. Very few people had phonographs, so families gathered, played musical instruments, and would sing songs for entertainment. Men courted women in parlors or on front porches. A date consisted of playing the guitar and singing, or taking a walk. Automobiles started to appear among more wealthy people, but most people rode horses or bikes. (http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch03.htm)
Mr. Breadon: How was the economy?
Dr. Williams: Oh, the economy was at its worst early in my career. The Stock Market crashed, gold reserves declined, banks and businesses went under, and many people were without work. We were going through a depression. It took about four years for America to recover. (http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/chronology.html)
Mr. Breadon: What about the political situation?
Dr. Williams: Grover Cleveland was President when the depression was going on. Then, we had the Spanish American War with McKinley as President. He was big on reform and won a re-election against Roosevelt. After McKinley was killed, Roosevelt took office. The United States experienced everything from war, to expanding borders, Social Darwinism, and building of the Panama Canal. (http://www.fsmitha.com/hx/ch03-6.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What were the basic demographics of the United States during your career?
Dr. Williams: The U.S. population growth almost doubled between the 1880 and 1890 census. The total population in 1890 was 62,622,250. In 1900, it only increased about 25% to 76,212,168. So earlier in my career, the United States was becoming more industrial, more urban, and more ethnically diverse. Industrial growth in America caused cities to grow rapidly. (http://www.answers.com/topic/united-states-census-1900, http://www.nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/socgospel.htm)
Mr. Breadon: How where gender roles defined during your time frame?
Dr. Williams: The natural role of the woman was to take care of the home and children, while the men went out and worked. More and more did begin to work outside the home. Women had to wear long dresses to appear moral and they did finally earn their right to vote. In general the women's role was inside the home and private, while the men's role was outside the home and public. (http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What about class roles?
Dr. Williams: Well, many lower class people lived in inner cities in crowded unsanitary housing. The men were over-worked in factories for little pay. Middle class people lived both in inner cities and outside the cities. They usually were able to take annual vacations or go to a resort in the summer. They were fortunate enough to get to go to musical concerts, amusement parks, and baseball games. Middle class families also played lawn games, like croquet, and young girls and their mothers would do needle crafts. The upper class done most of the same as the middle class, but things were more affordable for them and they had nicer homes. Most of them ran their own business or were doctors. They were the first to get electricity, and an automobile when they came out. The children of the upper class also received a much better education compared to the lower class. (http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch03.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Who are some well-known American writers, musicians, and artists that were working during the time of your career?
Dr. Williams: Well, Ida B. Wells was hard at work as a journalist and newspaper editor. She is most known for her books about lynching in the United States. (http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/timeline.htm, http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/barn-ida.htm) Stephen Crane's book, The Red Badge of Courage, was published. (http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/chronology.html) Then, there's Edward MacDowell, who's one of America's finest composers, and is known for his piano concerto. He's also one of the first seven Americans that became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Romantic-era_composers,
http://www.johnjhenderson.com/Notables/Biographies/edward_macdowell.htm) Hmm, Daniel Garber from Indiana is a well-known landscape painter. He actually began his studies right here in Ohio where you're from Mr. Breadon, at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. (http://www.askart.com/askart/g/daniel_garber/daniel_garber.aspx)
Mr. Breadon: Well, Dr. Williams, it has been an honor to interview you. I appreciate your time and information. Thank you very much.
Dr. Williams: Your welcome, Mr. Breadon. I've enjoyed talking with you. Have a nice day.
Dr. Williams: Hello.
Mr. Breadon: Thank you for coming. Today I would like to ask you some questions to learn more about you, your career, your accomplishments, and the state of society as you were working hard to become a doctor, if you don't mind.
Dr. Williams: I don't mind at all, Mr. Breadon, I would be glad to answer your questions.
Mr. Breadon: Did you think you were interested in becoming a surgeon in your early childhood years?
Dr. Williams: I never really thought about it when I was really young. There came a time when I knew that I wanted to do something with my life, and be successful.
Mr. Breadon: What led you in that direction?
Dr. Williams: Well, I watched my father work hard as a barber. After he died of tuberculosis, my mother struggled to make ends meet and was unable to care and provide for us. By the time I was eleven, my siblings and I were left orphans. I was an apprentice to a cobbler at a very young age, then I learned to cut hair and worked as a barber, and later was a laborer on a lake steamer. I knew that I wasn't interested in that kind of labor, and I didn't want to struggle like my mother did. I knew I wanted to do better, but I wasn't sure how. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Were there any specific reasons or events that sparked your interest in the medical field?
Dr. Williams: After I moved to Janesville, Wisconsin, I met Dr. Henry Palmer, the Surgeon General of Wisconsin. I was working as a barber at that time, but I requested a position as Dr. Palmer's assistant. I was given that position and was fascinated by his work, which sparked my interest in medicine. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Did you have any mentors that helped develop your talents or interests?
Dr. Williams: After I graduated from high school, I began following the example of my older brother and studied law for awhile. He was heading down the right path. I saw his talents and success and new that if he could be successful it was possible for me also. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Was there any other mentors?
Dr. Williams: Yes, Dr. Henry Palmer, of course. He took me under his wing and gave me the job as his apprentice. He was a remarkable surgeon. I was fascinated by him and his work, and wanted to follow in his path. I read every medical journal and text that I could get my hands on to increase my knowledge. Dr. Palmer helped me apply for admission to the Chicago Medical School, which was a top medical school and is now known as Northwestern University. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What was the state of knowledge that existed in the medical field when you began your work?
Dr. Williams: There were very few physicians that had formal training from a medical school. Most learned through two-year apprenticeships. Doctors, including myself, were beginning to benefit from the discoveries of Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister. Pasteur studied and experimented with germs and bacteria. Lister used Pasteur's theories and revolutionized surgery by using antiseptics to kill germs. (http://www.answers.com/topic/daniel-williams, http://www.answers.com/topic/louis-pasteur) Technological development and new medical discoveries were happening at that time, and African Americans played an important part in it, but it was very hard for us to be accepted in the medical field. (http://www.africawithin.com/jeffries/aapart31.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What was one of your first major accomplishments that you were really proud of?
Dr. Williams: Graduating from medical school with an M.D.
Mr. Breadon: Is there a particular reason why you choose that as your first major accomplishment?
Dr. Williams: Yes, I was left homeless as a young child, but was lucky enough to find generous people to open up their homes to me, which allowed me to finish high school. Many people left in my situation probably wouldn't have even been able to do that. As I mentioned earlier, it was also very difficult for African Americans in the medical field. Opportunities for us were very limited. We were denied privileges in hospitals, and even treatment. It was also very difficult for us to even get accepted into medical school and receive the training needed. I think the fact that I was able to finish high school and graduate from medical school with a degree is a great accomplishment. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Yes, that is quite an honor and something to be very proud of. Now, Dr. Williams, one thing that many people know about you is that you performed the first successful open heart surgery. Can you tell me about that?
Dr. Williams: Sure, back in 1893, a young man by the name of James Cornish was stabbed in the chest with a knife during a bar fight. By the time he arrived at the hospital his pulse was very weak and he was going into shock. His condition was deteriorating quickly. I was faced with making a decision to open the man's chest and operating internally. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Back in 1893, that was not a common procedure, was it?
Dr. Williams: No, Mr. Breadon, it wasn't. Internal operations were unheard of. It was almost a sure thing, that opening up a chest cavity would result in infection and death. (http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: What made you think operating was the best thing to do?
Dr. Williams: I knew that Mr. Cornish had internal bleeding because his vitals were weak and he was going into shock. I knew that he was not going to survive if the bleeding wasn't stopped. It was the only option to give him some kind of a chance to live. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: So, after you opened the chest cavity, what did you find?
Dr. Williams: Mr. Cornish had damage to the pericardium. (http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: What kind of damage, and what did you have to do to fix it?
Dr. Williams: He had a pierced blood vessel and a tear to the pericardium, which is the sac surrounding the heart. I sutured it and applied antiseptics before closing the chest to try and prevent infections. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Very impressive, Dr. Williams! Where did you perform the open heart surgery?
Dr. Williams: At Provident Hospital in Chicago.
Mr. Breadon: You mentioned earlier that opportunities for African American physicians were limited, and it was also difficult for them to receive treatment. Was this an issue in treating Mr. Cornish?
Mr. Williams: No, it wasn't a problem. I'm actually the founder of Provident Hospital, the first African American owned hospital in the United States. (http://www.providentfoundation.org/history/williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Wow, another great accomplishment! What prompted you to get involved with something like that?
Mr. Williams: A lot of things, but a woman by the name of Emma Reynolds approached me for help after she was refused admission by every nursing school in the area. I was tired of seeing qualified African Americans denied education and patients given second-class medical care, so I started a new venture. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Was Provident Hospital only for African Americans?
Dr. Williams: No, it was not. Both African American doctors and White doctors were employed and treated at the hospital. I did only accept qualified applicants and required that the doctors keep on top of the latest advances in medicine. I insisted on the highest standards of treatment and sanitary conditions. I wanted to provide the best available care to everyone. (http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/DrWilliams.htm, http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/danielwilliams.html)
Mr. Breadon: How did you find qualified African American applicants since it was hard for them to obtain education and training?
Dr. Williams: I also opened the first nursing school for African Americans at Provident Hospital.
Mr. Breadon: You were a very busy man. Can you just quickly name off some of your other accomplishments, honors, and successes?
Dr. Williams: Well, I was the first African American appointed to the Illinois State Board of Health, I served as Chief Surgeon at Freedmen's Hospital in Washington DC, I helped organize the National Medical Association and served as Vice President. I eventually returned to Provident Hospital and served as Chief of Surgery and performed another breakthrough operation by suturing a patient's spleen. (http://www.providentfoundation.org/history/williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: You have a lot to be proud of. You have certainly made a difference in the lives of many people.
Dr. Williams: Thank you.
Mr. Breadon: So, what was the state of the medical field when you started, and how did it impact you and your work?
Dr. Williams: Well, medical treatment was primitive when I began as a doctor. People received medical care in their homes. I even done surgeries on kitchen tables occasionally. In that era, there were no anesthesiologists, x-ray machines, or high tech medical equipment. As I said before, many physicians didn't even have formal training. The 1880s was the beginning of a new era in the medical field. Antiseptics had surfaced, thanks to Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister, which was a benefit to me. (http://www.answers.com/topic/daniel-williams) I used their antiseptic and sterilization procedures to disinfect everything. The antiseptics helped cut back on disease, infections, and patient deaths. Doctors and surgeons from all over the country heard about my success and came to observe my procedures. (http://www.faqs.org/health/bios/82/Daniel-Hale-Williams.html)
Mr. Breadon: Did you have any limitations as a doctor or as a person?
Dr. Williams: Not really. I was aware that opportunities for black physicians were limited when I began my career, but I didn't let that stand in my way. Sometimes it was difficult, but my purpose in life is to help any one that I can and make a difference for people. I thrive on learning and success. I have no limits, and as long as I'm able I will continue to get involved, participate in organizations, and educate myself as much as I can.
Mr. Breadon: What was going on in the time period of your career, how was life, what did people do, what cultural situations took place?
Dr. Williams: Many people were poor, but at the beginning of the century, with the rise of industries, more goods were available and people were able to buy more than they ever had. The U.S. was still more rural than urban, but we were benefiting from agriculture and natural resources. For fun, families would go to a baseball games or amusement parks. Family picnics, fishing, and community socials were the popular things to do. Very few people had phonographs, so families gathered, played musical instruments, and would sing songs for entertainment. Men courted women in parlors or on front porches. A date consisted of playing the guitar and singing, or taking a walk. Automobiles started to appear among more wealthy people, but most people rode horses or bikes. (http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch03.htm)
Mr. Breadon: How was the economy?
Dr. Williams: Oh, the economy was at its worst early in my career. The Stock Market crashed, gold reserves declined, banks and businesses went under, and many people were without work. We were going through a depression. It took about four years for America to recover. (http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/chronology.html)
Mr. Breadon: What about the political situation?
Dr. Williams: Grover Cleveland was President when the depression was going on. Then, we had the Spanish American War with McKinley as President. He was big on reform and won a re-election against Roosevelt. After McKinley was killed, Roosevelt took office. The United States experienced everything from war, to expanding borders, Social Darwinism, and building of the Panama Canal. (http://www.fsmitha.com/hx/ch03-6.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What were the basic demographics of the United States during your career?
Dr. Williams: The U.S. population growth almost doubled between the 1880 and 1890 census. The total population in 1890 was 62,622,250. In 1900, it only increased about 25% to 76,212,168. So earlier in my career, the United States was becoming more industrial, more urban, and more ethnically diverse. Industrial growth in America caused cities to grow rapidly. (http://www.answers.com/topic/united-states-census-1900, http://www.nationalhumanitiescenter.org/tserve/twenty/tkeyinfo/socgospel.htm)
Mr. Breadon: How where gender roles defined during your time frame?
Dr. Williams: The natural role of the woman was to take care of the home and children, while the men went out and worked. More and more did begin to work outside the home. Women had to wear long dresses to appear moral and they did finally earn their right to vote. In general the women's role was inside the home and private, while the men's role was outside the home and public. (http://www.wic.org/misc/history.htm)
Mr. Breadon: What about class roles?
Dr. Williams: Well, many lower class people lived in inner cities in crowded unsanitary housing. The men were over-worked in factories for little pay. Middle class people lived both in inner cities and outside the cities. They usually were able to take annual vacations or go to a resort in the summer. They were fortunate enough to get to go to musical concerts, amusement parks, and baseball games. Middle class families also played lawn games, like croquet, and young girls and their mothers would do needle crafts. The upper class done most of the same as the middle class, but things were more affordable for them and they had nicer homes. Most of them ran their own business or were doctors. They were the first to get electricity, and an automobile when they came out. The children of the upper class also received a much better education compared to the lower class. (http://www.fsmitha.com/h2/ch03.htm)
Mr. Breadon: Who are some well-known American writers, musicians, and artists that were working during the time of your career?
Dr. Williams: Well, Ida B. Wells was hard at work as a journalist and newspaper editor. She is most known for her books about lynching in the United States. (http://www.pocanticohills.org/womenenc/timeline.htm, http://www.lkwdpl.org/wihohio/barn-ida.htm) Stephen Crane's book, The Red Badge of Courage, was published. (http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/acs/1890s/chronology.html) Then, there's Edward MacDowell, who's one of America's finest composers, and is known for his piano concerto. He's also one of the first seven Americans that became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Romantic-era_composers,
http://www.johnjhenderson.com/Notables/Biographies/edward_macdowell.htm) Hmm, Daniel Garber from Indiana is a well-known landscape painter. He actually began his studies right here in Ohio where you're from Mr. Breadon, at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. (http://www.askart.com/askart/g/daniel_garber/daniel_garber.aspx)
Mr. Breadon: Well, Dr. Williams, it has been an honor to interview you. I appreciate your time and information. Thank you very much.
Dr. Williams: Your welcome, Mr. Breadon. I've enjoyed talking with you. Have a nice day.
