Stuart Graves, M.D. (1879-1954)

Fifteenth Dean, 1923-1928

M.D., Syracruse University, 1911

Stuart Graves, a native of Boonville, NY, graduated from the Medical Department of Syracruse at the age of 32.  He was an intern and then assistant in Pathology at Rhode Island Hospital.  In 1914, he came to Louisville as the first pathologist of the city and as Professor of Pathology and Bacteriology.  In 1918, he was appointed acting assistant surgeon for the U.S. Public Health Service in Louisville.

During the absence of Dean Tuley, Graves gained administrative experience as interim Dean, and was appointed the first full-time Dean in 1923.  The Medical School and the University were torn by the furor growing out of the short administration of University President George Colvin (1926-1928).  During this time, pathology – Dr. Graves’ specialty – was fostered as a separate discipline in the School of Medicine.

Dr. Graves resigned in the wake of a conflict with the local Board of Health to become Dean of the Medical College of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in 1928.  He remained there until his retirement in 1947.  An Executive Committee, consisting of Doctors S. I. Kornhauser, Irvin Abell, Sr. and John Walker Moore was appointed to assume Dean Graves’ duties until December 1928, when John Walker Moore, M.D. was appointed Dean.