Yesterday was the birthday of a notable Philadelphian: John Morgan.
Before you get mad at me … no, I’m not talking about the personal injury lawyer whose face you’ve likely seen on billboards or SEPTA buses. That guy is from Florida (hence the rage from Philadelphians over his “Jawn” Morgan ad blitz a few years ago), and he advertises all over the country.
I’m talking about a different John Morgan, one who was born in Philly and made a name for himself here a few centuries ago. He was a doctor, and he’s significant because he founded the first medical school in the American colonies.
Morgan (1735-1789) was part of the first graduating class at the College of Philadelphia, which later became known as the University of Pennsylvania. According to Penn’s website, Morgan began studying medicine as an undergraduate, and then got his M.D. overseas in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Once Morgan returned to Philly in 1765, he worked with another doctor, William Shippen Jr., to build out a formal course of study for medical training in the colonies. Looking to the University of Edinburgh as a model, Morgan approached the trustees of the College of Philadelphia to create a medical school housed within the institution, and he became the first professor there. That school is now Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine.
In addition to medical academia, Morgan had other pursuits. To name a couple: he was one of the first members of the American Philosophical Society, and he also held a post as “physician-in-chief” of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War (which ended in him being ousted but later forgiven). If you’re interested, you can read more about his life here.
