Funkstown: Dr. John R. Francis and his Foggy Bottom Sanitorium

 By Frank Leone

Washington D.C. appropriately named its first purpose built Junior High School for African American students after John R. Francis (now Francis Education Center). He was a notable African American doctor, civic leader, educator who was familiar with the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, having operated a private sanitorium at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue. Known as “Washington’s leading colored physician,” Francis practiced medicine in D.C. for 35 years and his sanitorium was the first in the city open to African Americans. (You can read more about Francis School, now a historic landmark, here.) 

Dr. John Francis at his Sanitorium office at 2112 Pennsylvania Avenue, which also served as his home. (Richings, p. 432)

Francis (1856-1913) was born in Washington D.C. into “[o]ne of the oldest colored families in Washington.” His father Richard was “the leading mixed drink artist” in the city, keeper of the Senate Restaurant, owner of real estate and “one of the wealthiest among the colored gentry of the city.”

John Francis was educated in D.C. public schools, Howard University’s Normal and Preparatory Department, Wesleyan Academy (Mass.), Howard University Medical College, and graduated with high honors from the University of Michigan Medical School (1878). He served as an obstetrician and Assistant Surgeon in Chief of Freedman’s Hospital from 1894-1895 and acted as a temporary Surgeon in Chief of Freeman’s Hospital during the summer of 1894.

In April 1895, he established the Francis Sanitorium at 2112 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, “for the accommodation of all patients, without distinction as to race.” The institution was “established for the care of sick persons whose home environments … often prevent proper treatment and rapid convalescence.” It brought “the careful scientific treatment of the hospital combined with the comforts of home.” The facility provided room, board, and medical care, was staffed by nurses, accommodated patients being treated by other doctors, and contained appropriate facilities, including an operating room. “This institution is conspicuous in being the only place of its kind in the United States, established, owned and managed by a colored man.” As of 1901, Francis and his wife Bettie also maintained “a charming home” at the same address as the sanitorium. 

Dr. John R. Francis’ private sanitorium, 2112 Pennsylvania Ave NW, (Richings p. 430). George Washington University owns the building currently on the site and has leased it as a commercial office space – its glass fins that create a unique undulating appearance make it one of the more attractive modern buildings in Foggy Bottom.

Francis served on the D.C. Board of Education from 1886-1889, where his service was “very progressive and equally as aggressive in his attempt to bring about many needed reforms in the public schools.” In 1888, he suggested abolishing the office of superintendent of colored schools, and consolidating school administration under one superintendent and an assistant. Although Francis argued that this change would improve education for African American students, it proved unpopular.

A supporter of Booker T. Washington, Francis advocated for civil rights, noting that he had been a victim of prejudice because he was not allowed to join D.C.’s white-only medical organizations. Francis also served as a Howard University Trustees, President of the Colored Social Settlement of Washington (an organization which aided poor families), a Director of Capital Savings Bank, and Chairman of the Civic Club Committee on Sanitation, among other activities.

Mrs. Bettie Francis (1860-1925), a Howard graduate, and public-school teacher, also served on the D.C. Board of Education for seven years, and was one of the founders of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, active in the NAACP, and president of the missionary society of Fifteenth Street Baptist Church.

Dr. John R. Francis, who had a “[c]areer as an eminently successful practitioner and a leading civil influence among the colored people of the capital.”  (Richings, p. 429)

Francis died of kidney infection at Freedman’s Hospital at age 57 on May 23, 1913. He left his wife Bettie and four children, including Francis Jr., a dentist and Hugh, a lawyer (who attended Harvard). Francis is buried in D.C.’s Woodlawn Cemetery. In September 1913, U.S. Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan (who once had a statue in Foggy Bottom), was the chief speaker at a memorial held for Dr. Francis and extolled his service to the community.

Sources:  G.F. Richings, Evidences of Progress among Colored People, Geo. S. Ferguson Co., 1904, ch. 7; Andrew F. Hilyer, The Twentieth Century Union League Directory, Union League of D.C., 1901, p. 78-82; “Colored Society All Agog,” Washington Post, Nov. 26, 1886, p. 2; “The Colored School Superintendent,” Evening Star, Nov. 16, 1888, p.3; “The Public Schools” Evening Star, Nov. 14, 1888, p. 3; “Progress of the Race, Washington Post, June 9, 1901, p. 16; “Bryan Chief Speaker at Memorial Meeting,” Evening Star, Nov. 25, 1913, p. 3; “Dr. J.R. Francis Sr. Dead,” Evening Star, May 24,1913 p. 8; “May name new School for Dr. John R. Francis,” Evening Star, Oct.18, 1923, p. 22; “A Civic Leader,” The Crisis, Aug. 1913; Constance McLaughlin Green, The Secret City: A History of Race Relations in the Nation’s Capital, Princeton Univ. Press, 1917, p. 180; D.C. Department of General Services, Francis School Nomination (Oct. 1, 2025).

In honor of Black History Month, see other Funkstown posts, including our interview with Colbert King; the Underground Railroad in Foggy Bottom; Slavery in Foggy Bottom, What do the Underground Railroad and the GWU’s President’s House Have in Common?; Foggy Bottom’s Lost African American Churches and Community; Martha Briggs and her Lost Schools;  Foggy Bottom’s Rev. Leonard Grimes in the Abolition Hall of Fame; Happy “West End” Birthday Duke Ellington; Representing Black Foggy Bottom - the Lincoln Civic Association; and Green’s Court – They wanted Housing, They Got Highways.