A Portrait Gallery of Physicians the Collection in the Army Medical Library
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
[From Fernelius: Universa medicina, Geneva, 1679.] ANNALS OF MEDICAL HISTORY New Series , Volu me IX Novemb er , 1937 Number 6 A PORTRAIT GALLERY OF PHYSICIANS THE COLLECTION IN THE ARMY MEDICAL LIBRARY By HAROLD WELLINGTON JONES, Col ., M.C., U.S.A. WASHINGTON, D.C. ONGL before his likenesses no second thought, perhaps eyes wander indeed a fair share of them, immersed among the in those lusty tomes for which all li- books, the visi- braries are famous, are quite uncon- tor to the Army scious of the piercing glances from the Medical Library frames—are perhaps unaware of the dis- is conscious, as pleasure of many a look when too much he enters the noise comes from the reading room. vast reading Who are these men? Are they Titans or room, of many faces looking down nonentities placed there by those who upon him from on high. Some thirty had no other way of dealing with them? years ago when I first saw these por- Some peer out dimly, their lineaments traits I was timidly aware, as a budding scarce discernible, as if afraid of recog- aspirant for a commission, of the fierce- nition, while others have countenances ness of the gaze of some of them, and lighted with shafts of gold which the could indeed thank my stars that yon- setting sun has seemingly endowed with der old gentleman in the cocked hat life. Is the likeness before me a prized and epaulets was not to have my des- portrait by an artist of note, or is it per- tiny in his keeping. If he count them, haps the work of some hack unknown the visitor will find some score of per- to fame? Let us examine them and dis- sonages of greater or lesser fame who cover if we may what the portraits tell have long been immortalized on can- us. vas to be hung, most of them “skyed” as our artists put it, under varying de- Will iam Ship pe n grees of illumination for the specula- Here in a corner of the huge room is tion of posterity. our first acquaintance. His pink and Many readers, I dare say, give these white countenance, quite free from care, looks down over ruffled linen of eral of the Army, and he lived just over impeccable whiteness. Nevertheless the the river from Washington in Fairfax face shows a man of force and a lofty County, Virginia. The original portrait purpose reveals itself as we look at his of which this is a copy hangs in Wash- likeness. William Shippen must have ington Lodge, Alexandria, Virginia. been good to know. Doctor Craik accompanied Washing- William Shippen was Director Gen- ton in an expedition against the French eral of the Military Hospitals of the and Indians in 1754, and attended the Continental Army, and was born in wounded Braddock a year later at Fort Philadelphia in 1736. As I look at him I Duquesne. He was a warm friend of realize he was the same age as my great- Washington’s and after the war at the great-grandfather who commanded a General’s suggestion he removed to the Company at Bunker Hill. Did they neighborhood of Mount Vernon. In ever meet? Who knows? Fate decreed 1798 when war was threatened with that I shall not know the face of my France he was appointed Physician great-great-grandfather who lies on a General to the Army but held the posi- hillside in a tiny New Hampshire vil- tion but a short time. Doctor Craik at- lage, while William Shippen’s face lives tended Washington in his last illness forever. The portrait is a good copy of and was present when his General Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Shippen passed away. He himself died full of now in possession of the Shippen fam- years and honors in 1814. ily. It was presented to the Library many years ago by Mrs. George E. James Tilto n Nitzsche of Pennsylvania. Wistar says We now look at James Tilton, whose of William Shippen: “His person was portrait hangs hard by Doctor Craik’s. graceful, his manners polished, his con- Doctor Tilton was Physician and Sur- versation various, and the tones of his geon General of the Army, and the voice singularly sweet and conciliatory. dual title suggests an unwillingness to In his intercourse with society he was share honors with anyone. Indeed the gay without levity, and dignified with- flinty and uncompromising counte- out harshness or austerity.” As one nance that looks at me makes me feel looks at his likeness this tribute is not like tendering the gentleman an apol- difficult to believe. ogy for removing him from his golden frame. If we search for the name of the James Craik artist it will be in vain. The canvas was The portrait hung next to William obtained in New York a century or so Shippen has the look of a Scotchman, ago, but the artist’s signature, if it ex- and this observation I recorded one isted, has long since been painted out afternoon as I studied the faces in the in the restoration of the portrait, the Library, nor was I at all surprised to gift of Mr. James Tilton of Wilming- discover that James Craik was in truth ton, Delaware, a descendant, in 1875. born in Scotland. He is clean shaven There is no hint to be found anywhere after the fashion of his time, as was of its being a copy of any existing like- Shippen, and the small mouth denotes ness, and Doctor Thacher’s book shows narrowness perhaps. Secretive he must an entirely different portrait of Tilton. have been I think, a man not easy to As one looks at the lean face, the thin know. James Craik was Physician Gen- lips, the cold blue eyes, one sees a man bold and decided, which indeed he was. than a hundred years ago are as sound Born in Delaware, graduated in the first as a dollar today. He revised and re- class in the Medical School of Philadel- wrote the Medical Department Regu- phia, he entered his country’s service in lations, was largely responsible for the 1776, relinquishing a lucrative prac- reorganization of the Medical Corps in tice. Uncommonly successful in the 1821, and at all times stood ready to practice of medicine, he was again staunchly defend his beloved branch of called to the service of his country in the service from aggression. He labored 1812 as has been said. Thacher, quot- earnestly to secure increases of pay for ing his friend Belloch in whose arms medical officers and his efforts were ul- Tilton died, says of him: “In whatever timately successful. He banished the view we may consider the character of whiskey ration from the Army, he es- Doctor Tilton we shall find many traits tablished boards to weed out the in- to distinguish him from other men. He competents of the Medical Depart- was ... an original; wholly unlike ment. In the words of Harvey Brown, most other men in person, countenance, “In all his relations, whether as Chris- manners, speech, gesture and habits.” tian philanthropist, profound scholar, Doctor Tilton was President of the skilful surgeon, or true-hearted gentle- Society of the Cincinnati of Delaware, man, he was one of whom the medical and it was hoped that the history of the staff may always be proud and the portrait could be traced in some man- memory of whose good life may be ner through this organization, but the written on every page of its history.” effort has been without success and the Such was Lovell who founded the Army origin of the likeness remains un- Medical Library one hundred years known. ago. Josep h Lov ell Thomas Laws on Next we see General Lovell. A hun- The fifth portrait in the long line dred years ago he founded the Army over the entrance to the Library Hall Medical Library, little dreaming of is Surgeon General Lawson. What a what a century would bring forth. Lov- name to conjure with! Indeed I cannot ell’s portrait has been copied in every look at him save in terror. From under instance I think where his features the cocked hat a face arises from a have been reproduced, but there are mountain of gold braid, and he fas- other likenesses of him in existence in tens upon me a gaze wherein are de- the possession of his descendants. Lov- picted indomitable will and persever- ell did not live long after he founded ing courage. The dark, deep-set eyes, the Library—he died in the same year. the straight nose and the firm mouth His portrait by an unknown artist show the measure of the man. Here is shows an alert, keen face, the face of a he who was too busy in the field in the man of action. Lovell was in point of Florida war to press his claims for fact our first Surgeon General under the Surgeon Generalcy. When Presi- definite planned legislative enactment, dent Jackson finally appointed him to and from the time he took office in succeed General Lovell, a sigh of relief 1818 at the age of twenty-nine, until went up from those who feared the his death eighteen years later, he made place would go to a civilian. General history. His views on sanitation of more Lawson’s portrait by F. J. Fisher is one of the outstanding ones in the gallery. never reach the lowest niche even on There is no mist about his countenance the standard of merit by the Army and he appears as he probably was, a Medical Board.” Ecce quam bonum! fearless man who knew his rights and stood up for them whether in the field Cle ment A.