Dr. James William Colbert, Jr.

James W. Colbert, Jr., M.D. was a man with a clear vision for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Believing in the great potential of MUSC, Dr. Colbert dedicated his five years with the Medical University to expanding its stature and reputation beyond South Carolina. By recruiting exceptional faculty and staff, expanding research activities, and improving its academic programs, Dr. Colbert laid the groundwork that guided the University into the twenty-first century. Though his life was tragically cut short, Dr. Colbert’s lasting impact on MUSC is still seen and felt today. This exhibit tells the story of Dr. Colbert’s life and career through archival records, photographs, and oral history interviews.

James William Colbert, Jr., M.D. was born in New York City on December 15, 1920. Raised in Larchmont, NY, Colbert grew up in a devout Roman Catholic household and attended parochial schools. A bookish child from an early age, Colbert spent his formative years at St. Augustine’s School in Larchmont for junior high school and Iona Preparatory in New Rochelle, NY for high school. Colbert studied philosophy at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts and graduated in 1942 with an A.B. degree. Despite a deep interest in philosophy, Colbert turned to a career in medicine because “it just seemed to be the thing to do at the time.” [Margaret Colbert Keegan]

He died when Eastern Airlines Flight 212 went down in a North Carolina cornfield. James Colbert, and two of his sons, Paul, 18, and Peter, 15, were on the doomed flight, and lost their lives along with 69 other people. James was the Father of Stephen Colbert, of "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central.

Dr. James W. Colbert was the father of The Greatest American Ever!, Our Glorious Stephen.

James William Colbert Jr. (December 15, 1920 – September 11, 1974) was an American physician and the first vice president of academic affairs at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), serving in this capacity from 1969 until his death in a plane crash in 1974.