DR. BENJAMIN RUSH--1745-1813--PATRIOT

Benjamin Rush was born in Berberry near Philadelphia in 1745.  His grandfather was an officer in Cromwell's army who emigrated to America after Cromwell's death.
Benjamin and his brother were left in the care of his mother when just 6 years old.  As she was unable to make the small farm pay she sold out and moved to town and set up a small business.  She was successful at that and was able to send her eldest to Nottingham academy in Maryland.  After completing his prep studies he entered Princeton and finished there at age 16.
Benjamin selected the study of medicine under Dr. Redman of Philadelphia.  Then in 1766 he went to England and France to study, returning three years later as Dr. Benjamin Rush.
He took up the patriot cause immediately after his return and was effective in rousing support by his writings while still leaving time for seeing his ever-growing list of patients.  He was careful to leave time for seeing the poor which made him very popular.  Dr. Rush was raised a Christian and fervent in his desire to help where and when he could.
Dr. Rush became so well known around Philadelphia that he was asked to take a seat in the General Congress in 1775, but declined; but when members from Pennsylvania refused to vote for independence he accepted a seat, and though he was not there when it was adopted he was there in August to sign his name to the document.
In 1777 Congress appointed him physician-general of the military hospitals, and though he did not serve in Congress again he was appointed president of the mint in 1788 and remained in that post for fourteen years.
Although his services in Government were significant Dr. Rush was most distinguished and intimately known for his medical knowledge.  His qualities as a practitioner, a philanthropist and a Christian came to the forefront when a yellow fever outbreak in Philadelphia in 1793 caused an exodus from the city, including much of the medical people.  Dr. Rush rallied his pupils and friends to aid the sick and the dying.  They worked day and night and some of his pupils fell victim, as he himself did, to the fever.
Dr. Benjamin Rush survived and went on to serve in any way he could until his death at age sixty-eight, a Christian man who served his fellow man in so many ways...Medicineman!