Photostat negatives of letters and documents relating to Benjamin Rush

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: MSS 475

Scope and Contents

This small collection contains negative photostat copies of letters and other documents relating to Benjamin Rush and his practice in the Army. Letters of Benjamin Rush to George Washington are dated February 13, 1777, May 13, 1777, and August 30, 1777. There are also two memoranda dated December 23, 1777 with photocopy of letter of J. Norcum to Washington, criticizing Rush, dated December 29, 1777. Letters from George Washington to Benjamin Rush are dated May 16, 1777, September 4, 1777, and January 12, 1778. Also included is a transcript, signed by John Hancock, of Congress' action on July 1st, 1777, electing Benjamin Rush Physician-general of the Hospital in the Middle Department (of the Army); also of its action on July 2, electing Wm. Brown "in the room of Dr. Rush, " Rush apparently having declined. Two letters, 1801, conveying copies of Benjamin Rush's works to Wm. Currie and Lord Buchan; and a letter, 1803, no addressee, concerning admittance of a poor patient to the hospital are also included in the collection.

Dates

1777-1778
1801
1803

Creator

Rush, Benjamin (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry Township, PA on 24 December 1745 (Old Style)/4 January 1746 (New Style). He was an American physician, politician and educator who is best known for his activities during the American Revolution and for signing the Declaration of Independence. Rush studied at what is now Princeton University and then went on for a medical degree at Edinburgh University, receiving his MD in 1768. He subsequently returned to Philadelphia to begin his medical practice and pursue publishing. 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 1783, he became Physician at Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1786, he helped to establish the Philadelphia Dispensary and was a physician there until his death. A member of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence, Rush also founded Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He also helped found the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. He married Julia Stockton in 1776; they had thirteen children, nine of whom survived their first year. Rush died on 19 April 1813 of typhus.

Extent

1 folder (Small Collections)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These photostats were presented to the library by Nathan G. Goodman in February 1933. These letters were potentially used, though not cited directly in his biography of Benjamin Rush, nor are they included in Butterfield's selection of Rush's letters.

Subjects

Related Names

Creator

Rush, Benjamin (Person)
Washington, George, 1732-1799 (Person)

Digital Material

Photostat negatives of letters and documents relating to Benjamin Rush

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Photostat negatives of letters and documents relating to Benjamin Rush
Date: 2026 April 9
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin
Sponsor: Conservation and digitization of this collection was supported by a Federal Save America's Treasures grant administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.