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Introduction

“Valentine” is synonymous with Saint Valentine, a third-century Roman martyred saint, or February 14, Saint Valentine’s Day, but it was also once a common given name and remains a familiar surname. The name is derived from the Latin word valens, meaning strong and healthy. Today it is not a popular given name in the United States, but during the twentieth century it was more common. Valentine as a surname, according to genealogy sites like Family Search and Ancestry, is seen most frequently in the United States, England, and Canada.

As a long-standing institution of higher learning, the University of Maryland, Baltimore has seen at least 15 graduates with the last name of Valentine and an additional 5 graduates with the first name of Valentine. Read on to learn more about two of UMB’s own Dr. Valentines: Aloysius W. Valentine and Francis J. Valentine.

Aloysius W. Valentine

Aloysius William Valentine was born in Baltimore, Sept. 16, 1874; he first attended and graduated from the Maryland College of Pharmacy (MCP), the predecessor of the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy (UMSOP). Following graduation from the MCP in 1895, Valentine worked at Richardson’s Pharmacy in Bel Air, MD where he met his wife, Kortright Monroe Richardson. 

After a few years as a pharmacist, Valentine entered the University of Maryland, School of Medicine (UMSOM) in 1902. As a student he was active in school groups and even served as a Valentine graduated in 1904 and set up a medical office at 610 North Carolina Ave. in Washington D.C., where he practiced for 40 years. Dr. Valentine was a huge supporter of the UMSOM Alumni Association, serving as the D.S. Alumni group’s secretary and organizing several Washington D.C. He was often quoted in alumni publications like, Old Maryland, encouraging his fellow alumni to support the school and subscribe to the alumni journals.

“It ought to be eagerly subscribed for; it thrills one and carries him back to happy student days.” – Dr. A.W. Valentine, Old Maryland, February 1905

Valentine retired from practice in 1944 because of poor health. He died July 5, 1951 of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Francis J. Valentine

Francis John Valentine was born Oct. 7, 1880; he entered the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry (UMSOD) in 1900 and graduated in 1903. Following graduation, he joined the faculty of UMSOD as an assistant demonstrator of Operative Dentistry and served as an associate editor of Old Maryland, an alumni publication of the University. In 1913, Dr. Valentine was hired as head of the Dental Infirmary at the University Hospital, predecessor of the University of Maryland Medical Center. He held the directorship until it was abolished in 1915 when the UMSOD and Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Merged. Sources suggest that Dr. Valentine also had a private practice at 13 W. Mulberry St. in Baltimore.

Dr. Valentine was an active member of the University’s Alumni Association, serving on its advisory council.  Dr. Valentine was an active member of Baltimore society. In 1911 he received an honorary Master of Arts Degree from Rock Hill College in Ellicott City. He was also supportive of the Baltimore Boy Scouts. Dr. Valentine died on Oct. 12, 1934.

Conclusion

Interested in learning more about UMB’s Valentine graduates?  Search the HSHSL’s Alumni Database to see all the doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and social worker Valentine’s. Use the Digital Archive to discover Yearbook photos, Academic Catalogs, and Alumni Publications.  For more information or help using our historical collections contact Tara Wink, Historical Collections Librarian and Archivist.

Further Reading and Sources:

_{“Aloysius William Valentine,” Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208567489/aloysius-william-valentine
“Francis John Valentine,” Find A Grave. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/177791887/francis-john-valentine
Bones, Molars, and Briefs. (1903). https://archive.org/details/bonesmolarsbrief1903univ/page/n5/mode/2up
Bones, Molars, and Briefs. (1904). https://archive.org/details/bonesmolarsbrief1904univ/page/n5/mode/2up},
_{University of Maryland Dental Department Faculty Minutes, 1911-1922. (1922). https://archive.org/details/umddf_minutes_1911-1922/page/n5/mode/2up
Old Maryland. (1905-1914). https://archive.org/details/umarylandbaltimoredigitalarchive?tab=collection&query=%22Old+Maryland%22&sort=title}