Herbert Clay Scurlock (March 11, 1875 – September 26, 1952) was an American biochemist and a pioneer in the application of radiation therapy for treating cancer and the use of X-rays for dental diagnosis.

Herbert Clay Scurlock
Born(1875-03-11)March 11, 1875
DiedSeptember 26, 1952(1952-09-26) (aged 77)
Alma mater
Occupationbiochemist
EmployerHoward University
Known forPioneer in the use of radiation therapy on the treatment of cancer and in the use of X-rays for dental diagnosis
SpouseMabel S. Scurlock
Children5

Life

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Scurlock was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1875. In 1895, he graduated in chemistry at Livingstone College. In 1900, he got a degree in medicine from Howard University, and a master of arts from Columbia University, in 1915.[1][2]

From 1900 to 1905, Scurlock worked as an assistant in chemistry and lecturer in electrotherapy and X-ray at Howard University College of Medicine. He taught chemistry and physics for a brief stint, returning later to the College of Medicine as full professor of the department of physiological chemistry.[1][2]

He was a member of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of the District of Columbia, and even its president in 1916. He was also a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Medical Association.[1][2]

Death

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After two years of struggling with an illness, Scurlock died on September 26, 1952, in Washington D.C., at 77 years old,[1][2] having worked for 40 years at Howard University.[3] Herbert and his wife, Mabel S. Scurlock, had a son, Herbert S. Scurlock, and four daughters, Dorothea Dedmon, Helen Brown, Nina E. Mundy and Mabel E. Lewis.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d African American History Program (ed.). "Herbert C. Scurlock". National Academy of Sciences.
  2. ^ a b c d "Dr. Herbert Clay Scurlock". Journal of the National Medical Association. 45 (1): 78. 1953. PMC 2617164. PMID 13023431.
  3. ^ Inc, The Crisis Publishing Company (January 1941). The Crisis. The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Beckford, Geraldine Rhoades (March 2013). Biographical Dictionary of American Physicians of African Ancestry, 1800-1920. Africana Homestead Legacy Pb. ISBN 9781937622183.