Dr. Carl Russell Gross papers (MSS-0002)

Biographical/Historical Note

Dr. Carl Russell Gross was born on July 24, 1888 to Lena (Smith) and William Gross in Providence, Rhode Island. He graduated from Thayer Street Grammar School in 1903 and attended Providence Technical School until he had to leave in 1905 so he could work. From 1907-1909, Dr. Gross attended Howard Academy in Washington DC. He then attended Howard University School of Medicine, where he was Senior Class President, and graduated in 1913. Also, in 1913, Dr. Gross received his license to practice medicine by the State Department of Health of Rhode Island and opened his medical office in Providence. In 1917, he joined the Providence Medical Association and then served in the United States Army Medical Corps until 1919.

Dr. Gross was appointed to serve on the Tercentenary Committee of Rhode Island, a position he held from 1935-1936. It was through this committee where his interest in Black history in Rhode Island began. In 1939, he became a member of the board of the Crispus Attucks Association. Dr. Gross also began applying for positions at various hospital in Providence but insinuated he was turned down because of his race. In 1942, he resigned from the district draft board of medical examiners due to only being sent Black draftees. He was elected a fellow of the Rhode Island Medical Society in 1942 and was elected president of the John Hope Community Association. In 1950, Dr. Gross was appointed by Rhode Island Governor John. O. Pastore to serve on the Rhode Island Committee to the Mid-Century White House Conference on Children and Youth. He also became a member of the board of directors of the National Conference on Christians and Jews, Southern New England Region in 1958.

Dr. Gross was honored by the Irreproachable Beneficial Association in 1960, and in 1965 he was honored by the Northeastern Federation of Women’s Clubs along with U.S. Senator Clifford Case, U.S. Senator Edward Brooke, and U.S. Representative Gerald Ford. On June 6, 1970, Dr. Gross was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities by Rhode Island College. He died on April 7, 1971 in Providence, Rhode Island.