John Marshall Paul notes on the lectures of Nathaniel Chapman

Item

Identifier: 10a 410

Scope and Contents

One volume containing notes by John Marshall Paul, M.D. on lectures delivered by Nathaniel Chapman at the University of Pennsylvania on epidemiology, diseases of the digestive system, and colic. With the manuscript is a typescript biography of Dr. Paul on the stationery of Dr. Lancelot Ely, Somerville, NJ, and a typescript letter dated Mar. 15, 1939, from Frank Overton, M.D., editor of the Journal of the Medical Society of New Jersey to Dr. Ely, regarding Dr. Paul’s non-membership in the Society.

Dates

circa 1819 - 1822

Creator

Paul, John Marshall (Person)

Biographical / Historical

John Marshall Paul was born on 2 January 1800, in Belvidere, N.J., the son of Thomas Paul. He moved to Philadelphia to enter the medical practice of Dr. Parrish and eventually enrolled in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1822. He then spent two years in Paris with his cousin John Rodham Paul, M.D., (former College of Physicians Treasurer) before returning to Philadelphia in 1825 to establish his own practice. Paul actively practiced medicine for 20 years, retiring in 1846 to his hometown of Belvidere, N.J. In Belvidere, he led “the country gentleman’s life” and took an avid interest in the town. There he founded and served as an elder in the Second Presbyterian Church and founded the Stadleman Institute, a place for the pursuit of scientific inquiries, to which he donated much of his large library. The Institute proved unsuccessful, so Paul took back his library and turned the building over to the church as a parsonage. In 1835 Paul was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians. Paul married his cousin, Rebecca Rodham Paul, in 1830. They had 3 children, a son, John Marshall Paul, Jr., M.D., and two daughters. Paul died at his home in Belvidere on 18 Dec. 1879.

Nathaniel Chapman was an 1801 graduate of the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, furthering his medical studies in Edinburgh before settling in Philadelphia in 1804. Chapman is best known as a medical teacher, editor, and professional advocate. He became editor of the Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences in 1820. From 1810 on he taught at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as professor of materia medica and professor of the theory and practice of medicine and clinical medicine. In 1817 Chapman founded the Medical Institute of Philadelphia, considered the first medical post-graduate school in the United States. The principle publications of Chapman’s career are based on his lectures, such as his A Compendium of Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Medicine (1846). Among his other accomplishments, Chapman was elected the first president of the American Medical Association in 1847. Chapman was also a Fellow of the College of Physicians, elected in 1807.

Extent

1 volume

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Given to the College of Physicians in 1963. Formerly owned by Lancelot Ely, M.D., of Toms River, N.J.

Lancelot Ely (1875-1962) was born in England and settled in Somerville, N.J. after receiving his M.D. in 1904 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore. A surgeon, Ely was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and was very active in the New Jersey Medical Society, serving a term as President from 1934-1935. Ely retired from practice in 1960 and moved to Toms River, N.J. where he died in 1962.