Difference between revisions of "Samuel Bard (1742-1821)"
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Upon his return to the United States, Bard founded the medical school of King's College, New York, in 1767 (now the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons). This was the second medical school to open in the United States and the first to award the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Bard was appointed its first Professor of the Practice of Physic and achieved prominence through his studies of diphtheria, which proved vital in developing a treatment for that disease. After the War of Independence, Bard became personal physician to George Washington. In 1813, he was appointed President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. | Upon his return to the United States, Bard founded the medical school of King's College, New York, in 1767 (now the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons). This was the second medical school to open in the United States and the first to award the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Bard was appointed its first Professor of the Practice of Physic and achieved prominence through his studies of diphtheria, which proved vital in developing a treatment for that disease. After the War of Independence, Bard became personal physician to George Washington. In 1813, he was appointed President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. | ||
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| + | *[[First American Graduate, 1749]] | ||
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Revision as of 12:06, 25 August 2015
Samuel Bard (1742-1821) was one of the first US graduates of Edinburgh University, qualifying M.D. in May 1765.
Bard at Edinburgh
Bard was a native of Philadelphia who graduated from Columbia College before sailing to Europe in 1761 to complete his medical education. His letters home to his family describe how he attended classes in Chemistry under William Cullen (1710-1790), Anatomy under Alexander Monro ''secundus'' (1733-1817), Botany under John Hope (1725-1786), and Natural Philosophy under Adam Ferguson (1723-1816). He was particularly impressed by the lecturing style of William Cullen, which he judged both 'instructive' and 'entertaining'. He became a close personal friend of both Monro and Hope, in whose class he won the annual medal for the best collection of plants. Intent on a academical career, and realizing the necessity of a good delivery and easy compositional style, he also took great pleasure in Hugh Blair's lectures in Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. Both William Robertson (1721-1793), then Principal of the University, and George Drummond (1688-1766), Lord Provost of Edinburgh, invited him to dine at their homes, and the latter conferred upon Bard the freedom of the city. Bard's thesis, which he successfully defended in May 1765, was on the effect of opium on the human body. It was based on a series of experiments which Bard conducted first on himself then on his room-mate for verification.
Later Career
Upon his return to the United States, Bard founded the medical school of King's College, New York, in 1767 (now the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons). This was the second medical school to open in the United States and the first to award the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Bard was appointed its first Professor of the Practice of Physic and achieved prominence through his studies of diphtheria, which proved vital in developing a treatment for that disease. After the War of Independence, Bard became personal physician to George Washington. In 1813, he was appointed President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Related Pages
Sources
- John McVickar, A Domestic Narrative of the Life of Samuel Bard, M. D., LL. D., Late President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of the State of New York, &c. (New York: [Columbia College], 1822)
- Henry Simpson, The Lives of Eminent Philadelphians, Now Deceased (Philadelphia: Brotherhead, 1859)