Skip to content

Biography · Medicine & Health

John Rock

1825–1866

United States

Source image for John RockLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

John Stewart Rock (October 13, 1825 – December 3, 1866) was an African American teacher, doctor, dentist, lawyer and abolitionist, historically associated with the concept that "black is beautiful", which was thought to have originated from a speech he made in 1858. Historical records now indicate he never actually used the specific phrase on that day, although he did refer to the beauty of Black people. Rock was one of the first African American men to earn a medical degree.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Continue exploring Series 1

Slavery, Resistance & Freedom →Science & Invention →Education & Ideas →

Explore all Series 1 cards →