Pulaski in Giles County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Dr. William Albert Lewis

(1876-1971)

— Doctor - Educator —

Dr. William Albert Lewis Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

1. Dr. William Albert Lewis Marker

Inscription. Dr. William Albert Lewis was raised in the Wales community of Giles County and attended public school in Pulaski. He graduated from Pulaski High School in only the second graduating class for Black students in Giles County and upon his graduation he taught school at Elkton. After teaching there for a few years, he decided to enter Fisk University in Nashville where he graduated with honors in 1902. He then enrolled in Meharry Medical College in Nashville and graduated with a degree in medicine on April 1, 1907. Dr. Lewis began his practice of medicine in Knoxville but before 1910 he came back to Pulaski where he lived and practiced until his death.

Dr. Lewis was one of the most influential citizens of Giles County and contributed a great deal to the community. He was instrumental in getting a new high school, Bridgeforth, built for the county's black students and worked to improve the African-American community. He was a member of the L. M. Donaldson Medical Society and in 1953 became a member of the Giles County Medical Society, becoming the first African-American in the South to head an affiliate of the American

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Medical Association. Also, in 1956, Giles County honored him in recognition of his 50 years of service to the community. In 1970 the Giles County Veterans of Foreign Wars honored Dr. Lewis as Giles County Citizen of the Year. Dr. William Albert Lewis died December 20, 1971 at the age of 95.

Erected by City of Pulaski.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 35° 11.467′ N, 87° 1.653′ W. Marker is in Pulaski, Tennessee, in Giles County. It is on South Sam Davis Avenue north of Magazine Road, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located in Maplewood Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pulaski TN 38478, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds

Dr. William Albert Lewis image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

2. Dr. William Albert Lewis

itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Professor John Thomas Bridgeforth (here, next to this marker); United States Colored Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Pulaski Cornerstone — Southeast (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel “Sam” Davis (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); James M. McCallum (about 500 feet away); John Goff Ballentine (about 500 feet away); Maplewood Cemetery (about 800 feet away); Thomas McKissack Jones (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pulaski.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 6, 2020

3. Dr. William Albert Lewis Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 614 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.