Dr. Thomas W. Patrick, Sr.

Dr. Thomas W. Patrick (1872 - 1953), pharmacist, founded the Patrick School of Pharmacy in Boston in 1893. Until 1936 he operated the school, where some 5,000 Bostonians, mostly first and second generation Italian, Irish, and Jewish immigrants, were trained to become certified pharmacists. An alumnus of his school was the first person to be granted a pharmacist's license by the Massachusetts Board of Registration.

An interesting side note: In the October 1905 issue of 'The Spatula: An Illustrated Monthly Guide to Druggists.' An article appeared with the following, "Pharmacist Secures Injunction" Thomas W. Patrick, a professor of pharmacy, was this month granted a temporary injunction restraining J.N. Clark and C.O. Danforth from making, publishing or selling questions and answers claimed to have been arranged by Patrick for use of pupils preparing to take the examinations of the State Board of Pharmacy. Patrick long has conducted a school of pharmacy for fitting students for this profession, and he claims that it is his business to prepare druggists, chemists and others for examination. He alleges that Clark was a pupil of his at one time, and got from him a set of questions, which he has since turned over to Danforth, who is connected with a concern with contemplated publishing them without his authority.

The following is about Dr. Thomas' son. It comes from the periodical 'Opportunity: Journal of Negro Life, vol. 15-16 (1937): Dr. Patrick's son, Dr. Thomas W Patrick, Jr. , studied medicine eventually becoming a pediatrician. From the New York Age (March 14, 1959): Dr. Patrick Sr., was born in Haiti and came to Boston in 1892, where he taught pharmacy; established Patrick's School of Pharmacy and his own drugstore. "It seemed natural for me to plan to be a pediatrician. After I received my B. A. degree from Harvard, my father made it possible for me to study at the University of Berlin, Germany, where I received my M.D." After a rotating internship at Harlem Hospital and a pediatric residency, Dr. Patrick spent one year in general practice. As a community educator he realized very early that It was important to help the community understand what he was trying to do. and wrote articles on infants and children for newspapers, magazines and scientific journals. He has always been a volunteer and aided materially in the establishment of The Neighborhood Day Nursery of Harlem in the late 30's. At the present time, Dr. Patrick is a part of the pediatric service of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, a post he has held since 1947. He is married and has two daughters, Barbara and Jeanette.

Sources: African-Americans in Boston: More than 350 Years written by Robert C. Hayden (1992)