On July 15, 2017 Frederick Isadore Scott passed away at the age of 89 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Frederick was born on October 27, 1927 to Frederick and Rebecca Scott. He was the oldest of four children.

After graduating from Frederick Douglass High School he became the first African-American to attend Johns Hopkins University as an undergraduate; beginning February 1, 1945 the day after he graduated from high school. While a student, Mr. Scott was a founding member of Beta Sigma Tau, the first interracial fraternity in the Baltimore area. The fraternity included members from Johns Hopkins, Loyola, and Morgan State Universities.  

Frederick joined the U.S. Army in February 1946 requiring him to take a 15 month break from his studies at Hopkins. Returning from active duty the following year, he resumed his classes and married his wife Viola “Vi” (nee Fowlkes).

After graduating with a degree in chemical engineering, Frederick relocated to New Jersey to work for RCA. He then worked for International Scientific Communications in publishing and editing, eventually becoming the editor for the American Laboratory journal. Mr. Scott also co-founded the nonprofit Baltimore Grassroots Media Inc.

Frederick frequently returned to Johns Hopkins as a speaker to alumni and student groups. He also attended as the guest of honor, the annual September meeting of the Fred Scott Brigade, an alumni group made up of mostly black alumni who attended Hopkins in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the Providence Baptist Church, 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217.

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