Benjamin Rush was born on 4th July 1746, and was a founding father who also signed the Declaration of Independence.He was a civic leader in Philadelphia, politician, social reformer, humanitarian, and educator; Rush also founded Dickinson College. He married Julia Stockton, the daughter of Richard Stockton, a co-signer of the declaration of independence.Benjamin Rush was a revolutionary in his interpretations of society, medicine, education, history, and theology. Rush did not have much money as he was a blacksmith’s son. So, it wasn’t easy when he tried living with his doctor’s profession. He treated poor patients from all races without any prejudice or discrimination. And this eventually made him the Founding Father most interested in diversity issues as he was stunned at racial discrimination and religious prejudices. From his early life, he started writing papers not only against slavery but also specially mentioned about him being against discrimination and prejudice.Benjamin Rush brought reforms including anti-slavery, anti-capitalism, and the status of women. When Rush left for his journey to Edinburgh for studies in 1766, he was infuriated at seeing numerous slave ships entering and leaving the harbor at Liverpool. He gave a strong and esteemed voice against the slave trade as a well-known Presbyterian doctor and professor in the College of Philadelphia.Rush considered public punishments counterproductive and expressed explicit opposition against capital punishment. When it came to education for women, he suggested a new structure for curriculum which featured history, philosophy, science, English, dance, and music. He took particular interest in helping women interested in literature, poetry, and religious writing, especially during the post-revolution period. This led women to claim roles in the establishment of the Republic, which followed the emerging of the ideal of Republican motherhood.Benjamin Rush had a considerable contribution to the medical field and did lend vocal support to heroic medicine. The standard practices of the time, such as bloodletting, were also supported by him but have now been labeled as dangerous.In publications like the American Medicine, Medical Inquiries and Observations, Upon the Diseases of the Mind, Rush published descriptions and remedies for mental diseases (1812). He was also one of the first doctors to characterize Savant Syndrome.Read on to know more about the life of Benjamin Rush, and afterward, also check out Bill Haley facts and Benjamin Britten facts.Religious Views And Visions Of Benjamin RushBenjamin Rush was brought up as a Presbyterian. However, as years passed, Dr. Rush’s beliefs changed, and eventually, he fostered a Universalist outlook as supported by Rev. Elhanan Winchester.Benjamin Rush had a belief that religion was a fundamental base for any successful republic, so he supported the idea of education along Christian lines. Rush was very supportive of the constitution in every facet; however, he was pretty disappointed that the document did not mention a supreme power whatsoever.He was not an adherent of religious tests for political office. He was firmly against the measure where all candidates in Pennsylvania had to take a religious oath to the constitutional convention of Pennsylvania. He said that there were good men who were not believers in the divinity of Jesus, and it would be of no good to bar those men from office just because they are not religious.Benjamin Rush had a firm belief that children should have spiritual influence at an early age. This was partly because of his mother, who devotedly taught him Biblical principles. Though his father passed away at an early age when he was only six years old, he grew up spiritually in his home brought up by his mother.Benjamin Rush believed that if the Bible were used in public schools, it would surely result in a better nation. He even wanted the Bible to be made a central book studied by all throughout the education period. Rush understood that the Biblical principles have a significant influence on one’s life, and thus he affirmed it in all spaces of his life.Personal Life Of Benjamin RushBenjamin Rush (1745-1813) was born in the town of Byberry, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He was born fourth among the seven children of the house.The Rush family settled here when Benjamin Rush’s great-grandfather, being an immigrant, married William Penn’s sister. That family is also quite known in Colonial America.Rush’s father, John Rush, died when he was only six years old and was raised by his mother, Sussan Rush. He did his schooling at Finley’s Academy in Nottingham. He took admission at Princeton University and started his five-year degree program at the age of 15. Later, under the guidance of John Redmen, Rush attended medical school.Redmen prompted Rush to carry on his education at the University of Edinburgh and studied medicine there. While pursuing his medical degree, he learned French, Italian, and Spanish at the university. Rush returned in 1769, and then he started medical practice and at the College of Philadelphia became a professor at the medical department. It is said that Benjamin Franklin had borne his medical expenses.Apart from Benjamin Rush’s political and social life, he also found time for his personal life. He got married to Julia Stockon on 11th January 1776, from Princeton, New Jersey. They together raised their thirteen children. Later in June 1776, he joined the Provincial Congress and became a leading proponent of independence.Rush was appointed as a surgeon general in 1777 of the armies of the Middle Department. He found that the army medical services were disorganized, which infuriated him. He blamed William Shippen, the director-general of medical services of the time. Later, Rush resigned when George Washington favored Shippen and continued his medical practice.Rush was also interested in the dilemma of the mentally ill and the poor. He started the first dispensary in the United States, free for all. He was also concerned with education and the national academic education system. His ideas led to the establishment of Dickinson College in 1783.Benjamin Rush was also known as the father of American psychiatry. He was the first to believe that mental illness is not any possession of demons rather a disease related to the mind and brain.In 1793, during the yellow fever epidemic, Rush’s medical theory was tested. His theory was that poor sanitation was partly the reason behind the epidemic. He fearlessly stayed in Philadelphia to cure yellow fever patients. Benjamin Rush also partly led the Foundation of veterinary medicine in America. His attribution in the medical profession staged the medical revolution in America.Rush fell ill with a fever in 1813 spring. He died of typhus five days later in his home in Philadelphia. A firm adherent in his therapeutic approach who believed in bloodletting therapy has himself bled twice in his last course of illness. He was commended by Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, among others, after his death. Christ Church Burial Ground was where he was laid to rest.Writings Of Benjamin RushBenjamin Rush is famously known for his political activities in the American Revolution, including signing the Declaration of Independence, writing and publishing many books.Some of his well-known books are:Medical Inquiries And ObservationsLetters On The Rebellion, To A Citizen Of Washington, From A Citizen Of PhiladelphiaThe Autobiography Of Benjamin RushTwo Essays Of The MindBy the 19th century, rough views regarding Rush being an ignorant blood-letter and as an enemy of Washington were removed for his reappraisals for his contributions in the medical field, politics, and social work.John Rush and Susanna Hall had a son named Benjamin Rush. He was appointed to the Pennsylvania Hospital staff in 1783 and remained a member until his death. After witnessing the inhumane treatment of people with mental health conditions at Pennsylvania Hospital, Rush also led a successful effort in 1792 to create a dedicated mental ward where the patients could be kept in more humane surroundings.Rush was a member of the Sons of Liberty and was elected to the provincial convention that chose representatives to send to the Continental Congress. Thomas Paine sought Rush’s advice when preparing the highly influential pro-independence pamphlet Common Sense. Rush used his medical talents and clinical practice while representing Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress.‘He was the highly favored instrument whose patriotism and name helped enormously to establish the United States’ independence,’ Rush wrote in a letter to John Adams in 1812. Rush also persuaded biographers of General George Washington, Justice Bushrod Washington, and Chief Justice John Marshall to remove his name from the list of people associated with those hurtful statements.He served as a surgeon general for the continental army. He provided Army medical service in the continental army in Pennsylvania society. In 1796, he voted for Thomas Jefferson over John Adams, the ultimate winner. The revolutionary doctor also worked as a professor with the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as the professor of the Institutes of Medicine and Clinical Practice in the year 1792 and as Professor of Theory and Practice in 1796 with the University of Pennsylvania.Rush insisted on being bled himself shortly before his death, as some blamed his bleeding for hastening the deaths of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.Rush worked as an apprentice in Philadelphia under Dr. John Redman from 1761 to 1766 in his medical school. He returned to his work later as education in medical science helped him boost his medical knowledge. In the year 1768, he spent several months while training at St. Thomas’s Hospital, where he met Benjamin Franklin and attended dissections from William Hunter and John Morgan.After his death, his wife Julia Stockton survived him along with their six sons and three daughters.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Benjamin Rush facts, then why not take a look at Bill Bryson facts or Benjamin Disraeli facts.
Benjamin Rush was born on 4th July 1746, and was a founding father who also signed the Declaration of Independence.
