Black doctor from Canada served in U.S. Civil War, attended dying Abe Lincoln
CBC’s Reg Sherren talks about family secrets, race and discrimination with Anderson Ruffin Abbott's great-granddaughter, who knew of her ancestor’s accomplishments — but not that he was black.
Canadian woman makes surprising discovery about family history
Anderson Ruffin Abbott was a young doctor when he left Toronto to work as a surgeon during the U.S. Civil War. He came to know President Abraham Lincoln, visiting his bedside after he was shot.
His great-granddaughter Cathy Slaney knew some of the history of Abbott's accomplishments — but not that he was black.
CBC's Reg Sherren talks to Slaney about a family journey that involved discrimination, civil war and, ultimately, the assassination of a president.