Claude E. Driskell Papers

Claude Evans Driskell, prominent Chicago dentist, dental educator and historian of African American dentistry, was born on January 13, 1926 in Chicago. He grew up at several locations in the Bronzeville and Englewood neighborhoods, moving to 2922 S. Prairie at the age of 12. His parents were James Driskell, born in Georgia, and Elizabeth Driskell, born in Alabama. He entered the U.S. Army during World War II and was decorated for his service. Returning to civilian life, he started college under the G.I. bill and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Roosevelt University in 1950. Driskell enrolled in the College of Dentistry at University of Illinois at Chicago, earning a D.D.S. degree in 1954. He went on to practice dentistry for 55 years, first in Harvey, Illinois, and then on Chicago’s South Side. He was still working several days a week at his office on Halsted Street until shortly before his death in 2009.

In 1975, he became the dental consultant for the Chicago Board of Education, where he played a major role in the successful fight to gain dental insurance for Chicago Public School teachers. Driskell later became an adjunct professor for pre-dental students at Chicago State University. He also remained active as an alumnus of the University of Illinois Dental School, serving on the Dean’s Committee for more than a decade.

Early in his career he took an active interest in the history of African Americans in the dental profession. After graduation, he joined the Lincoln Dental Society, the organization which represented Chicago’s African American dentists, and the National Dental Society, which represented African American dentists throughout the country. Driskell served a term as the Lincoln Dental Society’s president. He was a prolific dental journalist, writing for the professional journals of both the Lincoln Dental Society and the National Dental Society. From 1966 to 1980 he was the editor of the Bulletin of the Lincoln Dental Society; he worked as Director of Publicity for the National Dental Association, and as Assistant Editor of the NDA Journal.

He was perhaps best known as the author of The History of Chicago Black Dental Professionals, 1850-1983. That book served as an essential part in the Chicago Public Library’s influential 2002 exhibit, “More Than a Century of Struggle: African American Achievement in Chicago’s Medical History.” Driskell also authored four chapters in Essays on Earl Renfroe—A Man of Firsts, published in 2001. Renfroe was a renowned orthodontist who was the first African American department head at the UIC College of Dentistry.

In 1953 Claude Driskell married Naomi Roberts, daughter of Bishop William Roberts, founder of the Church of God in Christ in Illinois. They lived in Chicago’s Jackson Park Highlands neighborhood and raised five children.

Claude Driskell, a man of huge energy, not only found time for family, dentistry and dental history, but became the archivist and historian for the Original Forty Club, one of the oldest and most prominent African American professional organizations. Founded in 1920, the club’s membership roster became a veritable “who’s who” in Chicago. For its 75th anniversary, Driskell authored and published a limited edition history of the club, which included extensive biographical information on the club’s many men of achievement.

Claude Evans Driskell died May 23, 2009. He is buried in Chicago’s Oakwood Cemetery.

Sources: Driskell, Claude E. The History of Chicago’s Black Dental Professionals, 1850-1983. Chicago: Driskell, 1982. Jensen, Trevor. “Dr. Claude E. Driskell, 1926-2009: Dentist and author,” Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2009. Svetcov, Danielle. “The Top Forty” (on The Original Forty Club of Chicago), Chicago Tribune Magazine, January 27, 2002 Word of Mouth, UIC College of Dentistry newsletter, April 2013.