Early life and career Benjamin Rush

the birthplace of benjamin rush, photographed in 1959.

benjamin rush born john rush , susanna hall on january 4, 1746 (december 24, 1745 o.s.). family, of english descent, lived on plantation in township of byberry in philadelphia county, 14 miles outside of philadelphia (the township incorporated philadelphia in 1854). benjamin fourth of 7 children. john rush died in july 1751 @ age thirty-nine, leaving mother, ran country store, care family. @ age eight, benjamin sent live aunt , uncle receive education. benjamin , older brother jacob attended school run reverend samuel finley, later became west nottingham academy.

in 1760, after further studies @ college of new jersey (now princeton university), rush graduated bachelor of arts degree @ age fourteen. 1761 1766, rush apprenticed under dr. john redman in philadelphia. redman encouraged him further studies @ university of edinburgh in scotland, rush studied 1766 1768 , earned m.d. degree. rush became fluent in french, italian, , spanish result of studies , european tour. while @ edinburgh, became friend of earl of leven , family, including william leslie.

returning colonies in 1769, rush opened medical practice in philadelphia , became professor of chemistry @ college of philadelphia. rush published first american textbook on chemistry, several volumes on medical student education, , wrote influential patriotic essays.