Charles Victor Roman (July 4, 1864 – August 25, 1934) was a surgeon, professor, author, and civil rights activist born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and raised in Dundas, Ontario.
[1] After graduation, Roman found it hard to secure gainful employment in his field due to racial discrimination and his disability, so he sold sewing items to save money for medical school.
In 1885, a traveling lecturer convinced Charles to use his degree from Hamilton Collegiate Institute to find work as a teacher in the U.S., where he could earn more money.
[5] He returned to Meharry Medical College after his graduation to teach ear, eye, nose, and throat diseases, as well as surgical technique.
[1] While working as a professor, he earned a Master of Arts in history and philosophy in 1913 from Fisk University, where he later became the head of the Department of Health.
[1] Roman worked with the U.S. Army during World War I as a medical lecturer, where he primarily spoke to African American soldiers.