Samuel Bard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1742-04-01)April 1, 1742 |
| Died | May 24, 1821(1821-05-24) (aged 79) |
| Education | King's College University of Edinburgh |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Spouse | Mary Bard |
| Children | 8, includingWilliam Bard |
| Parent(s) | John Bard Suzanne Valleau Bard |
| Relatives | John Bard (grandson) |
Samuel Bard ((1742-04-01)April 1, 1742 –(1821-05-24)May 24, 1821) was an American physician who founded the first medical school inNew York City and the second medical school in the United States at King's College, now known asColumbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He was a personal physician toGeorge Washington. His description of thediseasediphtheria was instrumental in formulating treatment for that condition.
Bard was born inPhiladelphia on April 1, 1742. He was a son of Suzanne (née Valleau) Bard (1720–1784), a granddaughter ofPeter Fauconnier, andJohn Bard (1716–1799), a physician who was born inBurlington, New Jersey.[1]
He first studied atKing's College, and in September 1761 sailed to Europe to obtain a thorough medical education.[2] He spent five years in France, England, and Scotland and received his M.D. at theUniversity of Edinburgh in May 1765. On his return, he found his father in debt for his education, which had cost more than a thousand pounds. He entered into partnership with him, and for three years drew nothing beyond his expenses from the profits of the business, amounting to 1,500 a year.[1]
Bard was elected to theAmerican Philosophical Society in 1767.[3] In 1769, Bard founded the first hospital in New York called the Hospital in the City of New York in America, which becameNew York Hospital (now a part ofNewYork–Presbyterian Hospital). Bard formed the plan of the Medical School of New York, which was published within a year after his return. He was appointed Professor of the Practice of Physics. Medical degrees were first conferred in 1769. In the same year, the hospital was founded by his exertions; but the building was burnt, causing a delay of the establishment until 1791.[4] In the time of the war he left the city, placing his family in the house of his father atHyde Park; but anxious to provide for his wife and children and to secure his property, in the next year, he returned to New York, while the enemy had possession of it, and engaged in his professional business.[4]
After the return of peace, Washington selected him as his family physician. At this period he lost four out of his six children byscarlatina, which prevailed in a violent form. In consequence of the illness of Mrs. Bard, he withdrew from business for a year, devoting himself to her. In 1784, he returned to the city. Having formed the purpose to retire from business, in 1798, he moved to his seat in the neighborhood of his father at Hyde Park. But, when theyellow fever appeared, he resolutely returned to his post. By his fearless exposure of himself he took the disease; but, nursed by his wife, he recovered. The remaining 23 years of his life were spent in happy retirement, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. In 1813, he was appointed President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.[5]
After paying back his father for his medical school debt, he married his cousin, Mary Bard (1746–1821), to whom he had long been attached. Together, they were the parents of eight children (five who died young, four fromscarlet fever):[4]
Bard's sister Ann was the wife ofJohn Pierce Jr.[9] Pierce was aContinental Army andUnited States Army officer who served asPaymaster-General of the United States Army.[9]
He died ofpleurisy on May 24, 1821. His wife succumbed of the same disorder the preceding day, and they were buried in one grave.[4]
Through his son William, he was the grandfather ofJohn Bard, founder ofBard College.[10]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain: Simpson, Henry, 1790–1868The lives of eminent Philadelphians, now deceased (1859){{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
Johnson, Rossiter, ed. (1906). "Bard, Samuel".The Biographical Dictionary of America. Vol. 1. Boston: American Biographical Society. p. 210.