Markham, Blackwell, 1897-1977

Blackwell Markham of Durham, N.C., was born in 1897, the son of Ella Markham and general store owner John L. Markham Sr. Blackwell Markham was the youngest of eight surviving children, including John L. Markham Jr., Lila Markham Brogden, Susie Markham Tucker, Lottie Markham Hundley, Leila Markham, Charles B. Markham, and Frances Markham. Lila Markham Brogden married Willis J. Brogden Sr. and had two sons, Willis J. Brogden Jr. and Blackwell M. Brogden. Susie Markham Tucker married A.R. Tucker, and had two children, Eleanor Tucker and Reynold Tucker.

Blackwell Markham won a scholarship to the University of North Carolina in 1914, then attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine for two years before transferring to Harvard Medical School in 1920 to complete his degree. After earning his M.D. in 1922, Markham performed his residency in New York, N.Y., then returned to Durham to open a general surgery private practice in 1925. Markham joined the United States Army in 1942, but was initially denied active field duty because, at age 45, he was considered too old to be eligible. However, he successfully lobbied to be sent abroad, and he served as a surgeon in England, North Africa, and Italy before returning to Durham in 1945.

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