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Benjamin Archer notes on the lectures of Benjamin Rush

 Collection
Identifier: 10a 136

Scope and Contents

Two volumes of an incomplete set of notes on lectures delivered by Benjamin Rush at the University of Pennsylvania from 1804 to 1805. Vol. 1 (p. 1-43) contains brief notes on his section on physiology including the pulse and the mind. Vol. 2 (p. 132-260) contains notes on his sections on therapeutics and the practice of medicine.

Dates

  • 1804 - 1805

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Benjamin Archer was a matriculant in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1804, but is not listed as a graduate in the alumni directory. He practiced as a physician in Salem County, New Jersey. No other information about Dr. Archer could be located.

Benjamin Rush, Philadelphia physician, was born on 24 Dec. 1745 o.s. in Byberry Township. He married Julia Stockton in 1776; they had thirteen children. Rush died on 19 Apr. 1813. Rush received his B.A. from Princeton College in 1760, then served a six-year apprenticeship with John Redman. He was one of the first to attend William Shippen’s anatomy lectures. In 1768, he received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh. In 1769, Rush became Professor of Chemistry at the College of Philadelphia; in 1789 he became Professor of Theory and Practice of Medicine. When the College formed the University of Pennsylvania in 1791, Rush became Professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Medicine. He also taught students privately. In 1786, he helped to establish the Philadelphia Dispensary and was a physician there until his death. Rush also was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1776, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and in 1777, became Surgeon-General of the Continental Army. In 1799, he became Treasurer of the U.S. Mint. Rush was known for advocating bleeding and purging to treat yellow fever. From 1787 to 1793 he was a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

Extent

2 Volumes

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Given to the College of Physicians on 7 April 1897 by Mrs. Anna R. Craven, who found the journals among Archer’s effects.
Title
Benjamin Archer notes on the lectures of Benjamin Rush
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States