The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-19
DIR. JOHN MORGAN.
Public Services of the "Father OF
Medical Education In America"

To THE New YORK HHRALD: Refer
ring to the latest selection of names for
the Hall of Fame, 1t may be said that
there are some men whom history seems
determined to forget. and among them is
Or. John Morgan of Philadelphia.
He was born In Philadelphia In 1888
and was the first honor man of the first
class graduated from the College of
Philadelphia. the parent institution of
the University of Pennsylvania. He
studied medicine under the celebrated
Or. Redman and entering the army was
present at Braddock's defeat.
He went to Europe In 1850 for n
postgraduate course in medicine. His
career In Europe was meteoric. He
was made a licentiate OF the colleges or
Edinburgh and London, a fellow Of the
Royal Society and a corresponding
member OF the French Academy OF Sur
geons and also OF the Arcadian Society
OF Bellies Lettres of Rome. He received
a gold medal for one of his essays and
was invited to join-the suite of the
Duke of York in his tour Of Italy. on
which journey he kept a most interesting
journal, copy Of whiclioean be seen in
On his return to America he brought
the first glass eyes that had ever been
seen here; also the first silk umbrella
that had ever been brought to this coun-
try (see Miss Wharton's book on old
PHILADELPHIA. He also brought with
him the first apothecarist ever seen in
the land and got himself disl!ked. as
people said he was too proud to mix his
own medicines.
On his return from Europe he married
Mary Hopkinson, q sister OF Francis
Hopkinson. one Of the sgners OF the
Declaration Of Independence. DR.. Nor
gan founded the first medical college In
America, the one which Is now part
OF the University of Pennsylvania, and
the college has a copy OF the oil por-
trait OF him made by the celebrated ar
tist Angelica Kaufman while visiting
Mr. Murray, the British Resident, and
Lady Wentworth in Venice. The origi-
nal painting is IN the possession of the
Historical Society of Washington, Pa.
The doctor obtained the money neces-
sary to establish the medical school In
the Island of Jamaica, $17.5oo.
The History Of the Medical Depart
nent of the United States Army" (Jan-
uary. 1880 says: Among the striking
characters furnished by the Revolution
airy annals few are more admirable than
that of John Morgan. AS a physician
he was learned far beyond his contem-
poraries."
The celebrated DR.. Rush OF Philadel-
phia said: 1T we'll remember to have
heard it said that were it possible Tor
any man to merit heaven by his good
works DR.. Morgan would deserve it
He may be said to be the father or
medical education in America"
In 1775 Dr. Morgan was appointed by
Congress Director-Generaf of the Hos
pital and Medical Department. He was
the first man to occupy this office. Dr.
Morgan was the first man to introduce
civil service reform in the United States
by insisting that the doctors and nurses
under him should pass an examination
as to their qualifications and fitness Tor
the posts held by them, and needless 10
say he got himself disliked by many OF
them.
DR. Morgan died at the early age
of 81, and his remains lie under the
mint of old st. Peters Church In
philadelphia. DR.. S. Weir Mitchell was
a great admirer of the life and works
Of DR.. Morgan, and had life been spared
to him he intended to have a memorla!
erected to the Father of Medical SCI
ence in America and the first Surgeon
General of the United States Army.
A SUBSCRIBER.
wAsHrNGroN, November Is.