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The autograph manuscript of Bard’s address, Discourse on the Importance of Medical Education, delivered by him to the students of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at the opening of the academic year on November 4, 1811. It was published the next year in New York by C. Van Winkle.
History and Biography
Samuel Bard, physician and medical educator, was born in 1742 the son of John Bard, also a prominent physician. After preliminary studies at King’s (later Columbia) College, Bard received his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in 1765. He was one of several physicians responsible for persuading King’s College in 1767 to establish a medical school, now the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Bard served the medical school as dean, professor and president up until his death. He was also one of the founders of New York Hospital in 1771, now New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Bard died in 1821 at his country estate, Hyde Park, which later gave its name to the town made famous as the home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Organization
The autograph manuscript of Bard’s address, Discourse on the Importance of Medical Education, delivered by him to the students of the College of Physicians and Surgeons at the opening of the academic year on November 4, 1811. It was published the next year in New York by C. Van Winkle.
The manuscript appears to be Bard’s final copy of the address either as he read it or as the text sent to the printer. It has a few deletions or additions, also in his hand, but conforms almost entirely to the printed text. It does not include, however, the six page “Appendix” that appears in the published version.
Subject Headings and Related Records
Administrative Information
Purchased from Palinurus Antiquarian Books, 2013 (acc.#2013.022)