Robert Dorsey Coale (1857–1915) was an American Colonel of the Spanish–American War, commanding the 5th Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was also known as the Professor of Chemistry and Toxicology as well as the Dean of the Physics Faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Robert Dorsey Coale | |
|---|---|
 Coale during the Spanish-American War | |
| Born | September 17, 1857 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | May 18, 1915 (aged 57) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Volunteers |
| Years of service | 1898 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands | 5th Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Spanish–American War |
| Alma mater | Pennsylvania Military Academy Johns Hopkins University |
| Spouse(s) | Minna Howison Coale[1] |
| Other work | professor and Dean at the University of Maryland, Baltimore |
Education
editRobert was born on September 17, 1857, at Baltimore, Maryland as the son of Dr. Samuel Buchanan Coale and Caroline Dorsey Coale who was the daughter of Robert Edward Dorsey.[2] He graduated from the Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1875 and later, earned a PhD degree at the Johns Hopkins University in 1876.[3] He also became a Fellow of chemistry in 1880 to 1881.[4]
Chemistry and Toxicology
editCoale then became a professor of Chemistry and Toxicology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the Dean of the University for 18 years since he served two terms.[5] During this time, while he was described as being kind and generous, he was also known for not speaking as much which some mistook for coldness. Due to this, Coale often performed charitable activities anonymously.[3]
Military career
editWhen the Spanish–American War broke out, Coale volunteered to become Colonel of the 5th Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment which was assembled at Pimlico, Maryland on April 25, 1898.[6] However, there were competition between the volunteer regiments over which regiments would see active combat against the Spanish forces. When the 5th Maryland was destined to not be among the chosen volunteer regiments of General William Shafter's V Army Corps, desperate, Coale wrote to General William H. Wilmer, urging that the regiment "be sent to Puerto Rico as its last opportunity to see active service." but before the regiment could see any action, an armistice was signed between the United States and Spain, ending the war. Coale along with his regiment returned to Maryland on October 24 and all members were discharged by December 5, 1898.[7]
References
edit- ^ Bulletin of the School of Medicine: Official Publication of the University of Maryland. Vol. 3–4. Baltimore: University of Maryland, Baltimore. July 1918. p. 176. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Cordell, Eugene Fauntleroy (1907). University of Maryland, 1807–1907, Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics: With Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Its Founders, Benefactors, Regents, Faculty and Alumni. Vol. 1. New York City: Lewis Publishing Company. p. 310. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "Centuries of Leadership: Deans of the University of Maryland School of Medicine" (PDF). University of Maryland School of Medicine. p. 23. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Eleventh Annual Report of the President of Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University. 1886. p. 19. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "The Diastasic Value of Malt Extracts with Reports of Conservative Texts by Eminent Physicians, Chemists and Pharmacists, AS" (PDF). National Library of Medicine. p. 2. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ McSherry, Patrick. "A Brief History of the Fifth Maryland Volunteer Infantry". The Spanish-American War Centennial Website. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ Cole, Merie T. "Maryland's National Guard in the Spanish-American War" (PDF). ResearchGate. pp. 153, 156. Retrieved November 2, 2022.