Rush, Benjamin

Benjamin (1745-1813), an American physician and patriot. He was a native of Philadelphia and died there. He was graduated at Princeton in 1760 and completed a course at the University of Edinburgh in 1768. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he was professor of chemistry in the College of Philadelphia. He was an ardent advocate of American rights--a coworker with Franklin. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a member of the convention which framed the United States Constitution, and a member of the Pennsylvania legislature which ratified that Constitution in 1787. During the Revolutionary War he was appointed surgeon-general and had general charge of the hospital service. On the return of peace he resumed his practice and professorship at Philadelphia. Later the college with which he was connected was merged with the University of Pennsylvania in which he became professor of medicine and clinics. He was one of the foremost practitioners of the United States. He won quite a reputation by his treatment of yellow fever. Like his friend, Benjamin Franklin, he was a scientific inquirer, and was a member of various learned societies. He advocated the abolition of slavery. He was connected with the United States mint at Philadelphia from the time of its establishment until his death. See Hospital; Medicine