Graduate, doctor and first member of a black and minority ethnic group to serve in a local government position. Name: David PittCategory: AlumniRole: Graduate, politician and doctorCountry of origin: GrenadaTime active in Edinburgh: 1932 - 1938 as a medical student David studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh between 1932 and 1938 and went on to have an outstanding political and medical career. David had been involved in politics throughout his life and was elected a member for Hackney for the London County Council in 1961, becoming the first member of a black and minority ethnic group to serve in a local government position. He successfully lobbied the British government to pass the Race Relations Act of 1965, prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race or national origin. In 1975, Prime Minister Harold Wilson appointed David to the House of Lords which made him one of the first black parliamentarians. This article was published on 2026-03-12
