Lucy Hobbs Taylor – Dentist (1833 – 1910); Lawrence
In Brief:
Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first American woman to earn a degree in dentistry. Her legacy is remembered each year with the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award given by the American Association of Women Dentists.
Lucy Hobbs was born on March 14, 1833, in Ellenburg Town, N.Y. Her childhood dream was to be a medical doctor. In 1849 she graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York and began teaching. She began studying medicine while teaching in Brooklyn, Michigan. In 1859, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and applied to the Eclectic Medical College. The program, like many, refused to accept female students. The school suggested she study dentistry instead. She studied dentistry under two dentists before applying to the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in 1861. She was once again refused admission since she was a woman. Lucy started her own practice in Cincinnati in the spring of 1861, then moved to Iowa and established her practice there from 1862 – 65. She quickly gained acclaim for her skills as well as earning herself the nickname “the woman who pulls teeth.”
In 1865, the Iowa State Dental Society made Lucy a member after amending its Constitution and Bylaws to allow full membership to women. The Iowa Society also influenced the Ohio College of Dental Surgery , which had previously refused her, to admit Lucy. Due to her years of practice and experience, she was only required to complete one session before graduating in 1866. She was the first woman to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
More Information:
Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first American woman to earn a degree in dentistry and the first woman to present a scientific paper to a dental society. Her legacy is remembered each year with the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award given by the American Association of Women Dentists.
Lucy Hobbs was born on March 14, 1833, in Ellenburg Town, New York. Her childhood dream was to be a medical doctor. In 1849 she graduated from the Franklin Academy in Malone, New York and began teaching. She began studying medicine while teaching in Brooklyn, Michigan. In 1859, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and applied to the Eclectic Medical College.[1] The program, like many, refused to accept female students. The school suggested she study dentistry instead.[2] Although she wasn’t a student of the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, she studied dentistry under the school’s Dean, Jonathan Taft, and a practicing graduate of the school.[3] When she applied to the dental college in 1861, she was also refused admission since she was a woman.[4] Lucy started her own practice in Cincinnati in the spring of 1861, then moved to Iowa and established her practice there from 1862 – 65.[5] She quickly gained acclaim for her skills as well as earning herself the nickname “the woman who pulls teeth.” [6]
In 1865, the Iowa State Dental Society made Lucy a member[7] after amending its Constitution and Bylaws to allow full membership to women. [8] The Iowa Society also influenced the Ohio College of Dental Surgery to admit Lucy. Due to her years of practice and experience, she was only required to complete one session before graduating in 1866. She was the first woman to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The faculty stated that she “was indeed a superior student and a great credit to her chosen profession.” Lucy returned to Iowa to present a paper entitled “The Use of the Mallet” before the Iowa State Dental Society. She was now the first female dentist in the United States to present a scientific paper to a dental society.[9]
Lucy began practicing in Chicago in 1866 where she met an interesting patient, a Civil War veteran named James M. Taylor. They married in 1867. She inspired him to join the field of dentistry alongside her, and she became his teacher. Eventually the couple relocated to Lawrence and established the “finest and most lucrative practice in Kansas,” located at what is now 809 Vermont Street.[10]
Lucy was an active member of many dental societies and civic organizations. After a successful career practicing alongside each other, James passed away in 1886. Lucy retired a year later and dedicated her time to civic activities in her community and campaigning for women’s rights in the Republican Party. However, Lucy did not enjoy retirement, so she reopened her office at 809 Vermont. She practiced until she passed away on Oct. 3, 1910, due to a stroke.[11] She rests at Oakwood Cemetery in Lawrence beside her husband.[12]
The Woman’s Dental Association of the U.S. was founded in 1892 and later became the American Association of Women Dentists. Their mission is to mentor and support female dentists. Each year an outstanding woman dentist is honored with the Lucy Hobbs Taylor Award, continuing to recognize Lucy’s legacy.[13]
____________________
- [1] britannica.com/biography/Lucy-Hobbs-Taylor
- [2] sindecusemuseum.org/lucy-beaman-hobbs-taylorlucy
- [3] britannica.com/biography/Lucy-Hobbs-Taylor; sindecusemuseum.org/lucy-beaman-hobbs-taylorlucy
- [4] britannica.com/biography/Lucy-Hobbs-Taylor
- [5] Ibid.
- [6] lawrenceks.gov/prc/parks/sesquicentennialpoint/steps/1867hobbstaylor/
- [7] sindecusemuseum.org/lucy-beaman-hobbs-taylorlucy
- [8] lawrenceks.gov/prc/parks/sesquicentennialpoint/steps/1867hobbstaylor/
- [9] sindecusemuseum.org/lucy-beaman-hobbs-taylorlucy
- [10] lawrenceks.gov/prc/parks/sesquicentennialpoint/steps/1867hobbstaylor/
- [11] Ibid.
- [12] findagrave.com/memorial/6746/lucy-taylor
- [13] lawrenceks.gov/prc/parks/sesquicentennialpoint/steps/1867hobbstaylor/
By Delainey Barcus, BU 2027, & M. Jardon; May 2026
Image: Kansas Historical Society
