Fisk/Meharry in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd

1855 - 1912

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 21, 2025

1. Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd Marker

Inscription. Born enslaved in Giles County, R. F. Boyd earned degrees from Meharry's Medical (1882) and Dental (1886) departments. In 1887 he joined the faculty. He ran for a seat in the Tennessee General Assembly in 1892 and was the first African American nominated to run for mayor of Nashville. A founder of the National Medical Association of Colored Physicians and president of the People's Savings Bank and Trust Company, in 1900 Boyd founded Mercy Hospital as a training hospital for Meharry students.

Erected 2025 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 285.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 36° 10.012′ N, 86° 48.342′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Fisk/Meharry. It is on Doctor DB Todd Junior Boulevard north of Albion Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1005 Dr DB Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville TN 37208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

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 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: Hulda Margaret Lyttle (here, next to this marker); Dr. Josie E. Wells (a few steps from this marker); Talley-Brady Hall

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas W. Talley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Little Theatre (about 300 feet away); Meharry Medical College (about 300 feet away); Academic Building At Fisk University (about 300 feet away); Cravath Hall (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 21, 2025

2. Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd Marker

Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd Marker (to the left of the orange pylon) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, October 21, 2025

3. Dr. Robert Fulton Boyd Marker (to the left of the orange pylon)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2025, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.