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Benjamin Rush: Patriot and Physician
The only full biography of Benjamin Rush, an extraordinary Founding Father and America's leading physician of the Colonial era
While Benjamin Rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. Yet, he was a propelling force in what culminated in the Declaration of Independence, to which he was a cosigner.
Rush was an early agitator for independence, a member of the First Continental Congress, and one of the leading surgeons of the Continental Army during the early phase of the American Revolution. He was an constant and indefatigable adviser to the foremost figures of the American Revolution, notably George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.
Even if he had not played a major role in our country's creation, Rush would have left his mark in history as an eminent physician and a foremost social reformer in such areas as medical teaching, treatment of the mentally ill (he is considered the Father of American Psychiatry), international prevention of yellow fever, establishment of public schools, implementation of improved education for women, and much more.
For readers of well-written biographies, Brodsky has illuminated the life of one of America's great and overlooked revolutionaries.
While Benjamin Rush appears often and meaningfully in biographies about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, this legendary man is presented as little more than a historical footnote. Yet, he was a propelling force in what culminated in the Declaration of Independence, to which he was a cosigner.
Rush was an early agitator for independence, a member of the First Continental Congress, and one of the leading surgeons of the Continental Army during the early phase of the American Revolution. He was an constant and indefatigable adviser to the foremost figures of the American Revolution, notably George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams.
Even if he had not played a major role in our country's creation, Rush would have left his mark in history as an eminent physician and a foremost social reformer in such areas as medical teaching, treatment of the mentally ill (he is considered the Father of American Psychiatry), international prevention of yellow fever, establishment of public schools, implementation of improved education for women, and much more.
For readers of well-written biographies, Brodsky has illuminated the life of one of America's great and overlooked revolutionaries.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 15, 2014
This is the worst written biography I have ever attempted to read. I was looking for something on this under-acknowledged Founding Father, and this was not it. The writer accuses colonial writing of being overwrought and dense, but he was calling the kettle black. For example, in describing one early passage, he writes, "Discernible among this veritable salmagundi of purple prose..." and in another passage notes his use of a quote is "less for what information it might impart than to illustrate his precociously grandiloquent literary style, which, mercifully, he would curb over time..." Really?
September 15, 2021
I’m saddened when I realize I know so little about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence—who pledged their lives and sacred honor and their fortunes. Significant numbers of them sadly delivered on that promise, sacrificing all they had.
Despite the fact that many of the founders lack the popularity they once had, Rush’s name still exists on a Chicago hospital and doubtless on the door of an elementary school somewhere. There are good reasons for that. But he was a complex man. His impetuosity and mental illness meant he destroyed and defaced friendships and associations that would have helped him. But he became the nation’s premier physician.
If biographies of dead white guys aren’t your thing, at least read this to see how Rush and his associates practiced medicine in Revolutionary War America. You learn about some horrific practices by today’s standards, and you’ll wonder whether in half a century when an artificial intelligence is your doctor how people in 2021 could have endured the primitive practices of that time.
You’ll read about Rush’s positions on a variety of things. He was a staunch abolitionist, and under no circumstance did he approve of the death penalty. George Washington was a sworn enemy for a number of years. Rush believed Washington had no control over the army that was more of a mob in Rush’s opinion. It was an army where filth was king, and hygiene seem nonexistent. Decades ahead of his time, Rush believed people could prevent disease by bathing and cutting their hair.
He had some other bizarre beliefs, too. You could catch all kinds of illnesses if you drank extremely cold water. Illness would be your companion unless you thoroughly cooked your vegetables, and Rush was a huge proponent of bleeding sick people.
I bogged down during some of the detailed descriptions of his grudges and hates. It’s almost like the guy had mental illness. Some argue that rush is the father of American psychiatry. His treatment of mentally ill people was far from perfect, but he often felt the dehumanizing treatment of his day did more damage than good.
Despite the fact that many of the founders lack the popularity they once had, Rush’s name still exists on a Chicago hospital and doubtless on the door of an elementary school somewhere. There are good reasons for that. But he was a complex man. His impetuosity and mental illness meant he destroyed and defaced friendships and associations that would have helped him. But he became the nation’s premier physician.
If biographies of dead white guys aren’t your thing, at least read this to see how Rush and his associates practiced medicine in Revolutionary War America. You learn about some horrific practices by today’s standards, and you’ll wonder whether in half a century when an artificial intelligence is your doctor how people in 2021 could have endured the primitive practices of that time.
You’ll read about Rush’s positions on a variety of things. He was a staunch abolitionist, and under no circumstance did he approve of the death penalty. George Washington was a sworn enemy for a number of years. Rush believed Washington had no control over the army that was more of a mob in Rush’s opinion. It was an army where filth was king, and hygiene seem nonexistent. Decades ahead of his time, Rush believed people could prevent disease by bathing and cutting their hair.
He had some other bizarre beliefs, too. You could catch all kinds of illnesses if you drank extremely cold water. Illness would be your companion unless you thoroughly cooked your vegetables, and Rush was a huge proponent of bleeding sick people.
I bogged down during some of the detailed descriptions of his grudges and hates. It’s almost like the guy had mental illness. Some argue that rush is the father of American psychiatry. His treatment of mentally ill people was far from perfect, but he often felt the dehumanizing treatment of his day did more damage than good.
March 28, 2021
Truly a forgotten Founder. Father of American Psychiatry, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the liaison between President Jefferson and President Adams to rekindle their friendship, and much more. Learned so much about Dr. Rush in the book. “But his are deeds which should not pass away,/ And a name that must not wither.”
August 17, 2018
This guy did everything! Why did we not learn more about him in school? The author does also focus on his faults, so it’s not all a love fest. Rush was a patriot and physician, as the title notes, and a pioneer in many fields and thoughts. Who knew??
September 2, 2022
I just finished reading Benjamin Rush: Patriot and Physician by Alyn Brodsky. I am giving the book four stars only because I think chronological order, and more frequent listing of years as well as calendar dates would have helped readers. I am a fanatic of the subject of chronology.
I am a bit of a history buff and have often wondered about Benjamin Rush's role in history. He comes up prominently both as a doctor and as a patriot. I suppose I first learned of him in the context of his reuniting two former Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as friends after their famous falling out.
His role and importance is greatly under-recognized. As a doctor he was very much a man of his times, and espoused treatments such as bloodletting that proved counterproductive. However, he can be regarded as a father of both preventative medicine and psychiatry. His role as a patriot is also under-appreciated. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and had a major role in fostering Thomas Paine's Common Sense. This pamphlet electrified the colonies.
To its credit, the book was not a hagiography. It highlighted Rush's constant conflicts with others that hampered both his reputation and reputation. I suppose it could be said that he traveled in an ethereal crowd, all people with strong personalities. He clashed with the likes of George Washington, not to mention others in the medical establishment. Highly religious, he kept jumping around among three or four sects of Christianity.
Perhaps two letters of condolence, on from John Adams, one from Thomas Jefferson sum in up best:
Adams wrote to Richard (Rush, one of Benjamin's sons) on 5 May 1813:
Thomas Jefferson's letter of 27 May 1813 to John Adams upon learning of the passing of their mutual friend:
I am a bit of a history buff and have often wondered about Benjamin Rush's role in history. He comes up prominently both as a doctor and as a patriot. I suppose I first learned of him in the context of his reuniting two former Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as friends after their famous falling out.
His role and importance is greatly under-recognized. As a doctor he was very much a man of his times, and espoused treatments such as bloodletting that proved counterproductive. However, he can be regarded as a father of both preventative medicine and psychiatry. His role as a patriot is also under-appreciated. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and had a major role in fostering Thomas Paine's Common Sense. This pamphlet electrified the colonies.
To its credit, the book was not a hagiography. It highlighted Rush's constant conflicts with others that hampered both his reputation and reputation. I suppose it could be said that he traveled in an ethereal crowd, all people with strong personalities. He clashed with the likes of George Washington, not to mention others in the medical establishment. Highly religious, he kept jumping around among three or four sects of Christianity.
Perhaps two letters of condolence, on from John Adams, one from Thomas Jefferson sum in up best:
Adams wrote to Richard (Rush, one of Benjamin's sons) on 5 May 1813:
In what terms can I address you? There are none that can express my sympathy with you and your family, or my own personal feel. ins on the loss of your excellent father. There is not another person out of my own family, who can die, in whom my personal happiness can be so deeply affected. The world would pronounce me extravagant and no man would apologize for me if I should say that in the estimation of unprejudiced philosophy, he has done more good in this world than Franklin or Washington.
Thomas Jefferson's letter of 27 May 1813 to John Adams upon learning of the passing of their mutual friend:
Another of our friends of seventy-six is gone, my dear Sir, another of the co-signers of the Independence of our country. And a better man than Rush could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest.
December 25, 2022
Alyn Brodsky's "Benjamin Rush" is a ponderous, drawn-out examination of the life of America's foremost forgotten founder. Rush, physician and man of science, political thinker and patriot, man of letters, educator and reformer, led a noteworthy life at home and abroad. In short, Rush was a man in full.
Brodsky, while generally sympathetic to Dr. Rush, does not shy away from objectively observing his subject, warts and all. Interestingly, Mr. Bodsky's Rush shares a great many traits with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a contemporary public physician with whom we have become all too familiar. Like Dr. Fauci, Rush was a well-educated and brilliant physician; unfortunately, Rush also tended to speak with certitude when debate would have been beneficial, trucked in self-pity when criticized, and questioned the motives of those who deigned to disagree with him. That said, Brodsky pays Rush the respect that is his due, and gratefully acknowledges the debt our nation owes to this giant.
Overall, "Benjamin Rush" gives the reader cause to think that Mr, Brodsky became to close to the subject of his biography. For all of its merits, more aggressive editing would have enhanced this volume's virtues.
Brodsky, while generally sympathetic to Dr. Rush, does not shy away from objectively observing his subject, warts and all. Interestingly, Mr. Bodsky's Rush shares a great many traits with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a contemporary public physician with whom we have become all too familiar. Like Dr. Fauci, Rush was a well-educated and brilliant physician; unfortunately, Rush also tended to speak with certitude when debate would have been beneficial, trucked in self-pity when criticized, and questioned the motives of those who deigned to disagree with him. That said, Brodsky pays Rush the respect that is his due, and gratefully acknowledges the debt our nation owes to this giant.
Overall, "Benjamin Rush" gives the reader cause to think that Mr, Brodsky became to close to the subject of his biography. For all of its merits, more aggressive editing would have enhanced this volume's virtues.
July 1, 2017
Only modern bio on an important American Revolution founding father. Found the writing a bit verbose but not terribly. He had many blind spots, but initiated many laudable ventures. A suggested read for the AR enthusiast.
February 13, 2021
I'd give this 5 stars for content but I found the writing a bit ponderous. As I got further in the book it was better, or, I got used to his writing. There was another of his books I was interested, but not sure I will try now.
January 27, 2008
He is the greatest founding father that you never heard of
October 28, 2008
This is about my great, great, great, great, great.... grandfather.
April 8, 2017
My interest in Dr. Rush was piqued by the miniseries "John Adams" which alluded to the friendship between Rush and Adams that lasted until Rush's death in 1813. As a matter of fact it was Rush, to some degree, who was able to reconcile Adams and Jefferson after a long personal and political drought.
Rush himself, a Founder I knew little about, is entitled to be included in that group of titans. Signer of the Declaration, political essayist, military director of the Continental army, humanitarian and advocate of the Constitution. Medically, he was the "father of American Psychiatry" and encouraged what we would call "preventive medicine."His one failing was in the area of "bloodletting" which lead to his sobriquet of "Dr. Vampire." To his detriment he was involved to some extent in the "Conway Cabal", the scheme to undermine General Washington. He also wasn't a big fan of Alexander Hamilton!
An interesting read but I must admit I've had trouble lately reading non-fiction so it took me longer than usual.
"Another of our friends of seventy-six is gone, my dear Sir, another of the co-signers of the Independence of our country. And a better man than Rush could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest."
- Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, letter dated May 27, 1813
Rush himself, a Founder I knew little about, is entitled to be included in that group of titans. Signer of the Declaration, political essayist, military director of the Continental army, humanitarian and advocate of the Constitution. Medically, he was the "father of American Psychiatry" and encouraged what we would call "preventive medicine."His one failing was in the area of "bloodletting" which lead to his sobriquet of "Dr. Vampire." To his detriment he was involved to some extent in the "Conway Cabal", the scheme to undermine General Washington. He also wasn't a big fan of Alexander Hamilton!
An interesting read but I must admit I've had trouble lately reading non-fiction so it took me longer than usual.
"Another of our friends of seventy-six is gone, my dear Sir, another of the co-signers of the Independence of our country. And a better man than Rush could not have left us, more benevolent, more learned, of finer genius, or more honest."
- Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, letter dated May 27, 1813
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews