Colonial America
Benjamin Rush
1746-1813
Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania, and was raised by his mother in Philadelphia. He was an excellent student and graduated from the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) at age 14. He then studied medicine with a practicing physician in Philadelphia, but in 1766 left for Scotland, then the medical capital of the world. Rush remained there two years and was awarded a M.D. degree. 
Rush traveled to London and later Paris, and found the opportunity to meet such prominent personalities as Franklin, Diderot and Samuel Johnson. In 1769, Rush received an appointment to the faculty of the College of Philadelphia and became America's first professor of chemistry. He built a highly successful medical practice, but became involved in other endeavors, most notably in founding an anti-slavery organization. Rush also became politically active, working with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. It was Rush who urged Thomas Paine to write a justification for American independence and he who suggested the title "Common Sense." In 1776, he attended the Second Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. During the War for Independence, Rush served as the surgeon general of the Continental Army; he complained unsuccessfully about army hospital conditions to his superior. He later took his concerns to George Washington, who passed the matter on to Congress. After investigating the matter, Congress found in favor of Rush's superior and Rush resigned. He harbored a grudge against Washington for his lack of support and became a participant in the nebulous Conway Cabal. Rush would later express his regret and become an ardent supporter of Washington in the 1790s. Rush attended the Pennsylvania state convention in 1789 and worked on behalf of the ratification of the new constitution. Returning to the College of Philadelphia (later the University of Pennsylvania), Rush combined teaching with a new cause, providing assistance to the poor. He encountered professional criticism from his colleagues for the continued use of bloodletting and mercury purging, especially during the severe yellow fever outbreak of 1793. Rush also became a champion of the mentally ill and is regarded by many as the "Father of American Psychiatry." He was an ardent supporter of many progressive causes, including the anti-slavery movement, opposition to capital punishment, support for women's education and free public schools, and established a free medical dispensary for the poor in Philadelphia.
Off-site search results for "Benjamin Rush"... Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Rush was a regular writer, and many notes about the less well known signers of the Declaration come from his observations on the floor of congress. Other members of congress, Franklin, and John Adams foremost, had some harsh obsBenjamin Rush was a regular writer, and many notes about the less well known signers of the Declaration come from his observations on the floor of congress. Other members of congress, Franklin, and John Adams foremost, had some harsh observations ...
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/rush.htm
Colonial Hall: Biography of Benjamin Rush, Page 1
... 1Benjamin Rush1745-1813 Benjamin Rush Independence National Historical Park Benjamin Rush was born on the 24th of December, 1745, O. S. in the township of Byberry, twelve or fourteen miles northeast of Philadelphia. His ancestors Benjamin Rush Independence National Historical Park Benjamin Rush was born on the 24th of December, 1745, O. S. in the township of Byberry, twelve or fourteen miles northeast of Philadelphia. His ancestors Benjamin Rush was born on the 24th of December, 1745, O. S. in the township of Byberry, twelve or fourteen miles northeast of Philadelphia. His ancestors emigrated ...
http://www.colonialhall.com/rush/rush.php
Rush, Benjamin
Rush, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin 1760 (1746-1813) was a physician, teacher, and man of affairs who played a dramatic role in the early history of his country, his college, and his profession. A man of contradictions, he practiced and tBenjamin Rush, Benjamin 1760 (1746-1813) was a physician, teacher, and man of affairs who played a dramatic role in the early history of his country, his college, and his profession. A man of contradictions, he practiced and taught the ...
http://etcweb.princeton.edu/CampusWWW/Companion/rush_benjamin.html
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