John Covert Boyd

John Covert Boyd was born December 24, 1850, near Bradford Springs, Sumter County, South Carolina. After preparing for college at private schools in Charleston, South Carolina, Boyd spent two years at the University of Virginia from 1869 to 1871.

Boyd began his medical course in his second year at Virginia, then entered the medical department of the University of the City of New York, where he received his M.D. in 1872. Boyd's father and grandfather were also Physicians.

After one year as an intern, Boyd was appointed an assistant surgeon in the Navy medical cops. In 1902, he was appointed a professor in the Naval Medical College. Throughout his career, he authored numerous reports on technical subjects. In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt designated Boyd to help incorporate the American National Red Cross. Venerated with McCormick in his final years, Boyd died July 7, 1927.