Lemuel Diggs
Encyclopedia
Lemuel Whitley Diggs was a pathologist
who specialized in sickle cell anemia and hematology
.
Diggs was born in Hampton, Virginia
, but spent most of his life and did most of his work in Memphis, Tennessee
. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Randolph-Macon College
, and his medical degree in 1925 from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee
in Memphis in 1929 and later became Director of Medical Laboratories. In 1938 he helped create in Memphis the first blood bank in the South, only the fourth in the nation. He helped Danny Thomas
create the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
, also in Memphis, in 1962. In 1971 his work led to the creation of the first comprehensive research center for sickle cell disease at the University, which later endowed a Professor of Medicine position named after him. His Morphology of Human Blood Cells is on its 7th edition and is still used as a textbook
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
who specialized in sickle cell anemia and hematology
Hematology
Hematology, also spelled haematology , is the branch of biology physiology, internal medicine, pathology, clinical laboratory work, and pediatrics that is concerned with the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases...
.
Diggs was born in Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
, but spent most of his life and did most of his work in Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
. He received his undergraduate and master's degrees from Randolph-Macon College
Randolph-Macon College
Randolph–Macon College is a private, co-educational liberal arts college located in Ashland, Virginia, United States, near the capital city of Richmond. Founded in 1830, the school has an enrollment of over 1,200 students...
, and his medical degree in 1925 from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
in Memphis in 1929 and later became Director of Medical Laboratories. In 1938 he helped create in Memphis the first blood bank in the South, only the fourth in the nation. He helped Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas
Danny Thomas was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor, best known for starring in the television sitcom Make Room for Daddy . He was also the founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...
create the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962, is a leading pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is a nonprofit medical corporation chartered as a 501 tax-exempt organization under IRS regulations.In...
, also in Memphis, in 1962. In 1971 his work led to the creation of the first comprehensive research center for sickle cell disease at the University, which later endowed a Professor of Medicine position named after him. His Morphology of Human Blood Cells is on its 7th edition and is still used as a textbook