Another Forgotten American Forefather: Benjamin Rush

"To spend, and be spent, for the good of mankind is what I chiefly aim at." Benjamin Rush did spend his life for the good of mankind as a doctor, writer, and philosopher. Rush had his share of critics, but any outspoken person of brilliance usually does.

He believed in keeping "older and wiser" company than himself, and made close friends out of Americans like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. His friendship with another great American, Thomas Paine, would result in one of the most recognized pieces of literature in the world, Common Sense.

Most Americans today may not recognize his name, but Benjamin Rush should be considered a great historical figure because of his lasting contributions to America.

Rush made great contributions in the field of medicine. In fact, Rush's great accomplishments as a doctor earned him a title as "The Father of American Medicine." His medical career began at age fourteen in his hometown of Philadelphia in 1760 under the apprenticeship of Dr. John Redman. In 1764, he attended the College of Philadelphia for two years, and then studied for two more years in Scotland at the University of Edinburgh. By age twenty-three, Rush was already a college professor at the College of Philadelphia.

During the Revolutionary War, he worked on the battlefield as a medic, and became for a short time the head surgeon of the army. Perhaps Rush's greatest medical achievement occurred during the yellow fever outbreaks in and around Philadelphia. At a time when Americans were running for their lives, Rush told his medical students: "As for myself, I am determined to remain. I may fall a victim to the epidemic. . . but I prefer, since I am placed here by Divine Providence, to fall in performing my duty." Rush concluded, "I will remain, if I remain alone." He did not fall, but he did save the lives of at least 6,000 in Philadelphia. But the positive influence of Benjamin Rush was evident not only in medicine, but also in philosophy.