Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was a teacher of the deaf, scientist, inventor who is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone, and a member of the original faculty of Georgetown University's Dental School.1
He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His paternal grandfather taught elocution and both his mother and wife were deaf; factors influenced his work. Bell moved to Washington, D.C., in 1879 and in 1901 joined the faculty of the Dental Department of Georgetown University’s Medical School. The Dental Department was created from the Washington Dental College. This independent school was founded in 1897 at 625 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., and was accredited by the National Association of Dental Faculties in 1899.
In May 1901, the Georgetown University Medical School faculty voted to approve the assimilation of the Washington Dental College as the Dental Department of the Medical School. Classes began in the fall of 1901 with 29 students. The first circular of Information for the Department which appeared in 1901 includes his name among the clinical staff, listing his area of expertise as Articular Speech-cleft Plate.
Most of Bell’s personal papers form part of the Alexander Graham Bell family papers (MSS51268) which are housed in the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress. A portion of these papers can be accessed online.
- 1Dictionary of Canadian Biography; Circular of Information, Dental Department of the Georgetown University Medical School, 1901 (Georgetown University Archives)
