Alonzo C. McClellan, MD

Alonzo Clifton McClennan, MD was born in Columbia, South Carolina in 1855. He attended public school there, and in 1873 was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. After four months he resigned from the academy and studied at Wilberham Academy in Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina. He graduated with honors from Howard University in Washington, DC, receiving degrees both from the School of Pharmacy and the School of Medicine. Dr. McClennan moved to Charleston in 1884 and established the first Negro drug store. In 1897 he spearheaded the drive to fund and staff the Hospital and Training School for Nurses, which he served as medical director,instructor of surgical nursing, and surgeon in charge until his death in 1912. His son, Ridley U. McClennan, MD, also served as a medical director of the Hospital.

Known as a severe disciplinarian and occasional dictator, Dr. Alonzo McClennan posessed admirable surgical skill and unquestioned devotion to his hospital staff and his community. The good he accomplished for both earned their loyalty and respect.