Albert Whiggs Easmon (1865 – 21 May 1921) was a Sierra Leonean Creole medical doctor and the half-brother of Dr John Farrell Easmon. Easmon was among the first group of Sierra Leoneans to qualify as a medical doctor after getting a degree from Edinburgh University.[1] He became the leading gynaecologist in Freetown, Sierra Leone and had an extensive private practice.[2]
Albert Whiggs Easmon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Albert Whiggs Easmon 30 June 1855 Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Died | 21 May 1921 (aged 65) Freetown, Sierra Leone |
| Occupation | Chief Medical Officer |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | British Subject, |
| Education | Wesleyan Boy's High School, Edinburgh University |
Background and early life edit
Albert Whiggs Easmon was born to Walter Richard Easmon (1824-1883) and Mah Serah, a Susu from modern-day Guinea. Albert Easmon's father belonged to a prominent Nova Scotian Settler Easmon family of Little East Street, Freetown.[1] Albert Whiggs Easmon was the younger half brother of Dr. John Farrell Easmon, who was promoted to the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Gold Coast.[1]
Education edit
Albert Whiggs Easmon enrolled in Edinburgh University to study medicine; he qualified in 1895, graduating with First Class Honours.[1]
Influenza epidemic edit
He was reportedly the only physician who did not contract influenza during the 1918-19 influenza epidemic in Freetown. According to his son Raymond S. Easmon: "Father had literally to doctor the whole city."[2]
Paralysis and death edit
Soon after the epidemic, Easmon had a stroke that paralysed the right side of his body, leaving him bedridden for two years until his death on 26 May 1923, at the age of 56.[2]
Family edit
Albert Whiggs Easmon had at least two children; Dr Raymond Sarif Easmon and Maserae Easmon.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Gates, Professor Henry Louis Jr.; Akyeampong, Professor Emmanuel; Niven, Mr Steven J. (2 February 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. ISBN 9780195382075.
- ^ a b c Adell Patton, Jr, Physicians, Colonial Racism, and Diaspora in West Africa, University Press of Florida, 1996, p. 176.