On July 17, 1867, Harvard University founded the first university‑based dental school in the United States, elevating dentistry from a trade practiced by barbers into a respected medical discipline. Its founding dean, Dr. Nathan Cooley Keep, brought an unusual background to the field: he had trained as a jeweler.
Keep’s goldsmithing precision allowed him to pioneer forensic dentistry. In the sensational 1850 Parkman‑Webster murder trial, he identified charred dental fragments found in a furnace as belonging to wealthy victim George Parkman. His testimony marked the first successful use of dental evidence in an American courtroom, establishing a new frontier in forensic science.
Keep’s work also helped legitimize dental prosthetics at a time when false teeth were often viewed with suspicion. His advocacy for scientifically crafted dentures — rather than cheaply made, ill‑fitting substitutes — helped transform dentistry into a profession grounded in medical rigor rather than artisanal improvisation.
