Alice Ball's Birthplace: A Historical Hospital

what hospital was alice ball born in

Alice Augusta Ball was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 24, 1892. She was the third of four children, with two older brothers, William and Robert, and a younger sister, Addie. Ball's family was considered middle class to upper-middle class, as her father was a newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer. Her mother was also a photographer, and her grandfather, James Ball Sr., was a famous photographer and one of the first African Americans to use the daguerreotype process. Ball grew up in a distinguished family and showed signs of intelligence from a young age.

Characteristics Values
Full Name Alice Augusta Ball
Date of Birth July 24, 1892
Place of Birth Seattle, Washington
Parents James Presley Ball and Laura Louise (Howard) Ball
No. of Siblings 3
Names of Siblings William, Robert, and Addie
Family Background Middle-class to upper-middle-class
Father's Occupation Newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer
Mother's Occupation Photographer
Paternal Grandfather James Presley Ball, renowned photographer
Maternal Grandfather N/A

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Alice Ball was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 24, 1892

Ball's grandfather, James Presley Ball Sr., was a famous photographer and one of the first African Americans in the United States to learn the daguerreotype process, which involved printing photographs onto metal plates. Her paternal great-grandfather, John Ball, was also a photographer, and her aunt was a photographer as well. The family's involvement in photography may have influenced Ball's interest in chemistry, as they worked with mercury vapors and iodine-sensitized silver plates for developing photos.

Ball grew up in Seattle and attended Seattle High School, graduating in 1910. After high school, she studied at the University of Washington, where she earned a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and a second bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1914. During her time at the University of Washington, she co-authored a 10-page article with her pharmacy instructor that was published in the prestigious Journal of the American Chemical Society.

In 1915, Ball became the first woman and the first African American to graduate with a master's degree from the University of Hawaii. She also became the first female chemistry professor at the university. Ball's groundbreaking work in chemistry has earned her recognition as one of the most influential figures in Hawaiian history.

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Her parents were James Presley Ball and Laura Louise (Howard) Ball

Alice Ball was born on July 24, 1892, in Seattle, Washington, to James Presley Ball and Laura Louise (Howard) Ball. Her parents were prominent members and advocates of the African-American community, though both are listed as "White" on her birth certificate. This may have been an attempt to reduce the prejudice and racism their daughter would face and help her "pass" in white society. Alice was the third of four children, with two older brothers, William and Robert, and a younger sister, Addie.

Her father, James Presley Ball Jr., was a well-respected Black newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer. He was the editor of 'The Colored Citizen'. Her paternal grandfather, also named James Presley Ball, was a renowned photographer who captured portraits of individuals such as abolitionist Frederick Douglass, opera singer Jenny Lind, and writer Charles Dickens.

Her mother, Laura Louise Howard Ball, was a photographer. Her maternal grandfather was also a photographer and one of the first Black Americans to make use of daguerreotype, the process of printing photographs onto metal plates. Alice's parents and grandparents' love for photography may have played a role in her love for chemistry, as they worked with mercury vapors and iodine-sensitized silver plates to develop photos.

In 1902, when Alice was 10 years old, the family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, hoping that the warmer weather would help treat her grandfather's arthritis. However, he died shortly after the move, and in 1905, the family relocated back to Seattle. Alice attended Seattle High School, graduating in 1910 with excellent grades, particularly in the sciences. She went on to study chemistry at the University of Washington, earning a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and a second bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1914.

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She was the third of four children

Alice Augusta Ball was born on July 24, 1892, in Seattle, Washington. She was the third of four children, with two older brothers, William and Robert, and a younger sister, Addie. Her family was middle-class and well-off. Ball's father, James Presley Ball, was a newspaper editor of The Colored Citizen, photographer, and lawyer. Her mother, Laura Louise (Howard) Ball, also worked as a photographer. Ball's grandfather, James Ball Sr., was a photographer and one of the first Black Americans to make use of daguerreotype, the process of printing photographs onto metal plates.

Ball's parents and grandfather's interest in photography may have influenced her passion for chemistry. Working with chemicals like mercury vapors and iodine-sensitized silver plates to develop photos, Ball grew up surrounded by the wonders of chemistry. Her family included pioneers in photography, with her mother, father, grandfather, and aunt all working as photographers.

Ball's family was prominent members and advocates of the African-American community. Despite this, both of her parents are listed as "White" on her birth certificate. In 1902, when Ball was 10 years old, her family moved from Seattle to Honolulu, hoping that the warmer weather would help treat her grandfather's arthritis. Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away shortly after the move, and in 1905, the family relocated back to Seattle.

After returning to Seattle, Ball attended Seattle High School, where she graduated with top grades in the sciences in 1910. She went on to study chemistry at the University of Washington, earning a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and a second bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1914. Ball's early exposure to chemistry through her family's photography business and her excellent academic performance laid the foundation for her future success as a chemist and researcher.

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Her family was middle-class and well-off

Alice Augusta Ball was born on July 24, 1892, in Seattle, Washington. Her family was middle-class and well-off, with her father, James Presley Ball, working as a newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer. Her mother, Laura Louise Howard Ball, was also a photographer and installed a dark room in the family home. Ball's grandfather, James Presley Ball Sr., was a famous photographer and one of the first African Americans to master the daguerreotype process, printing photographs onto metal plates. Ball's paternal great-grandfather, J. P. Ball, owned a photography studio with her grandfather.

Ball's family was prominent and distinguished within the African-American community. Her father was the editor of 'The Colored Citizen', and her grandfather was a renowned photographer who captured portraits of notable figures such as abolitionist Frederick Douglass, opera singer Jenny Lind, and writer Charles Dickens.

Ball's family was financially secure enough to move from Seattle to Honolulu in 1902 (or 1903 according to one source), seeking a warmer climate to ease her grandfather's arthritis. Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away shortly after the move, and the family returned to Seattle in 1905.

Ball's parents supported her ambitions to pursue higher education, which was uncommon for Black women at the time. Most worked as domestic servants, and few graduated from high school or attended college. Ball's parents encouraged her academic pursuits, and she went on to achieve remarkable success in the fields of chemistry and pharmacy.

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Her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1902

Alice Augusta Ball was born in Seattle, Washington, on July 24, 1892. Her father, James Presley Ball, was a prominent Black newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer. Her mother, Laura Louise Howard Ball, was also a photographer. Alice's grandfather, James Presley Ball Sr., was a renowned photographer and one of the first African Americans to master the daguerreotype process of printing photographs onto metal plates. Alice was born into a middle-class family with her parents' and grandfather's involvement in photography potentially influencing her passion for chemistry.

In 1902, when Alice was 10 years old, her family moved from Seattle to Honolulu, Hawaii. The move was prompted by the hope that the warmer climate in Hawaii would alleviate her grandfather's arthritis. Unfortunately, despite the family's intentions, Alice's grandfather passed away shortly after their relocation to Hawaii.

During her time in Honolulu, Alice attended Central Grammar School (now known as Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani Middle School). After three years in Hawaii, in 1905, Alice's family returned to Seattle, where she continued her education at Seattle High School. She excelled in the sciences and graduated with top grades in 1910.

Alice went on to pursue higher education at the University of Washington, obtaining a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1912 and another bachelor's degree in pharmacy in 1914. Her academic journey then led her to graduate school at the University of Hawaii, where she embarked on groundbreaking research in chemistry and made significant contributions to the field of medicine.

Alice Ball's early life, marked by her family's move to Honolulu, laid the foundation for her subsequent academic achievements. Her family's background in photography and their encouragement of her intellectual pursuits undoubtedly contributed to the development of her passion for chemistry and her pioneering work in the field.

Frequently asked questions

Alice Augusta Ball was born in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Alice Ball was born on July 24, 1892.

Her parents were James Presley Ball, a newspaper editor, photographer, and lawyer, and Laura Louise Howard Ball, a photographer.

Yes, Alice Ball was the third of four children. She had two older brothers, William and Robert, and a younger sister, Addie.

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