Benjamin Rush was born on December 24, 1745 in Byberry, Pennsylvania, some twelve miles from Philadelphia. He was an interesting and often forgotten person among many of the other Founding Fathers. He was a Physician, writer, educator, humanitarian and one of our unknown great Americans. He was placed with his Uncle at age 6 after his father died and his Uncle Dr Finley became his teacher and he eventually attended the University of Philadelphia. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree there and then studied under Dr. Redman of Philadelphia for four years before heading to Edinburgh in Scotland. After spending many years in Europe studying and practicing Medicine, French, Italian, Spanish, and science he returned to North America in 1769. He setup a private practice in Philadelphia and also became Professor of Chemistry at the College of Philadelphia.
The City he loved
Rush became very popular among his residents of Philadelphia, He extensively practiced among the poor and his classes where very popular. He published the first American book on Chemistry in 1773 along with many articles about the Patriot cause and he joined the American Philosophical Society. He was active in the Sons of Liberty in Philadelphia during that time. In June of 1776 he was elected to attend the provincial conference to send delegates to the Continental Congress. He was appointed that year to represent the State of Pennsylvania and signed the Declaration of Independence. Rush was appointed the surgeon-general of the middle department of the Continental Army which caused him some trouble. He resigned over problems and actually tried getting Washington removed as General until Washington confronted him. Rush stayed away from the war after his confrontation with Washington.
After the War
In 1789 Rush wrote in the Philadelphia newspapers in favor of adopting the Federal Constitution. He was elected to the Pennsylvania convention which adopted the Constitution. He was appointed treasurer of the US Mint where he served from 1797 to 1813. Rush continued teaching and practicing medicine until his death, He was also a social activist in Philadelphia. A prominent advocate for the abolition of slavery, an advocate for scientific education for the masses, including women, and for public medical clinics to treat the poor. He died at the age of 68 at his home in Philadelphia, the most celebrated physician in America.
A Interesting Story about Rush
Rush had always stayed in touch with both Jefferson and Adams over the years writing letters to both. It was Jefferson and Adams who stopped talking even before Jefferson defeated him in 1801. They hadn't spoken or written to each other in nearly a decade until Rush wrote Adams a letter. Rush explained to Adams that he had a dream which Rush claimed was a vision, Rush was very religious man who believed the vision came from God. He wrote Adams that his vision was about Adams and Jefferson writing thousands of letters between the two Founders. Adams was skeptical at first but he believed in Rush and eventually both men wrote thousand of letters. There is a couple of books just about these letters and the content of them. Rush left Adams with one more thing about his vision, Rush told him that Jefferson and Adams would enter the ground together.
Both men died on July 4, 1826 with Adams famous last words "Jefferson still lives" not knowing he had died several hours earlier.
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