Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin
Personal Information
Born: 1861
Died: 1947
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Howard University, Medicine & Law, 1894-1895
Professional Life
Field of Study: Inventor
Institution/Corporation: none
Degrees & Memberships: none
Awards & Achievements
Awards: none
Achievements: 2nd African American female awarded a patent; held patent for Gong & Signal Chair & a shoe that dispensed medication through the sole; under name EB Miriam composed 2 marches, 1 performed by US Marine Band under John Philip Sousa, the other was the 1904 campaign song for Theodore Roosevelt
Was the 2nd Black female to receive a patent in the US
1888, invented the Gong & Signal Chair used in hotels
1st Black female to practice as a patent attorney
1888-1895, was a teacher in the DC segregated municipal school system
1888 census lists her as living at 1736 NY Ave, NW in DC
1917, she received a patent for her Sole for Footwear, intended to help with temperature regulation in the foot
1903, reportedly received a patent for a pinking device for dressmaking (confirmation & patent number not found)
Under the pseudonym E.B. Miriam composed musical pieces, including songs & marches for piano & band; "Boston Elite Quickstep" was reportedly performed by Sousa's band & another of her compositions was used by Theodore Roosevelt's presidential campaign in 1904