Samuel A. Elbert

Samuel A. Elbert (April 9, 1832 – July 15, 1902) was a medical doctor and politician in Indiana. He was the Republican nominee for a state house seat in 1882. He was the first African American to receive an M.D. degree in Indiana.

He was born in Maryland to parents who were not enslaved. He worked as a servant and studied at Oberlin College. He moved to Indianapolis in 1866 and taught at a private school for African Americans supported by the Allen Chapel. He studied medicine with two doctors and enrolled at Indiana Medical College in 1869. After a dispute he was degreed by the college in 1871, appointed to the state board of health, and established a private medical practice.

He won the Republican nomination for a state house seat over incumbent James Sidney Hinton. He and other Republicans lost in the state’s general election.

He married and had six children. He was a prominent A.M.E. Church member. He died at his home at 512 North Senate Avenue. In 2013 a grave marker was added at Crown Hill Cemetery for Elbert.