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John Morgan, 1735-1789
Dr. John Morgan's noted student, Benjamin Rush, once remarked that Morgan's name should forever be linked with the birth of professionalism in American medicine. Having first worked on the western frontier as a military surgeon during the French and Indian War, Morgan pursued an advanced medical degree at Edinburgh University in Scotland. Upon returning home to Philadelphia in 1765, Morgan played a key role in the establishment of America's first medical school. During the Revolutionary War, he served two years as the director-general of the Hospital of the Army. In this position, Morgan confronted daunting medical challenges, including an outbreak of smallpox and also extraordinary infighting among army officials who were unaccustomed to a centralized medical service.
This portrait was created by noted Swiss-born artist Angelica Kauffmann in Rome during Morgan's visit there in 1764.
Angelica Kauffmann, 1764 |