Frederick D. Patterson

Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson (October 10, 1901–April 26, 1988) was the first African American athlete at Iowa State College.

Life and Education

Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson was born in Washington D.C. on October 10, 1901. His parents were Mamie Lucille and William Ross Patterson. They named him after Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist. Both parents died when Patterson was 2 years old of tuberculosis. He was raised by his older sister, Bessie. Due to young Frederick being so gifted, Bessie used half of her monthly salary to send him to Samuel Huston College.

Patterson went on to study agriculture at Prairie View Normal & Industrial Institute in Texas. He attended Iowa State College where he graduated in 1923 with a D.V.M. In his book, Chronicles of Faith, Patterson is quoted as saying, “In the veterinary program, I did not feel odd being a part of the group of students working in the veterinary clinic although I was the only black person there. The absence of animosity encouraged me to see veterinary medicine as a field in which I could practice without being hampered by the racial stereotypes and obstacles that would confront me as a medical doctor, for example. I found the teachers of Iowa State helpful whenever I approached them. Educationally, it was a fine experience.” He also received a Master's degree in Science at Iowa State College in 1927. After leaving Ames, Patterson went on to receive a Doctorate of Philosophy from Cornell University.