David Hosack

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David Hosack by Rembrandt Peale

David Hosack (August 31, 1769 – December 22, 1835) was a prominent American physician, botanist, and educator. He is best known for his role as the attending physician at the Hamilton-Burr duel and for his contributions to the field of medicine and botany in the early United States.

Early Life and Education

David Hosack was born in New York City to Alexander Hosack, a Scottish immigrant, and Jane Arden. He attended Columbia College (now Columbia University), where he initially studied the classics before turning his attention to medicine. He continued his medical education at the University of Pennsylvania and later in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he studied under some of the leading physicians of the time.

Medical Career

Upon returning to the United States, Hosack established a successful medical practice in New York City. He became a professor of botany and materia medica at Columbia College and later a professor of medicine and botany at the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Hosack was a pioneer in the use of the smallpox vaccine in the United States and made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of yellow fever. He was also a founding member of the New York Academy of Medicine.

Hamilton-Burr Duel

David Hosack is perhaps most famously known for his role as the attending physician at the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804. Despite his efforts, Hamilton succumbed to his injuries the following day. Hosack's detailed account of the duel has provided historians with valuable insights into the event.

Contributions to Botany

In addition to his medical career, Hosack was an avid botanist. He founded the Elgin Botanic Garden, the first public botanical garden in the United States, located in what is now Rockefeller Center in New York City. The garden served as a center for botanical research and education and housed a diverse collection of plants.

Legacy and Honors

David Hosack's contributions to medicine and botany have left a lasting legacy. He was a member of numerous scientific and medical societies and received several honors for his work. His efforts in promoting the smallpox vaccine and his botanical research were particularly influential.

Related Pages

• Alexander Hamilton
• Aaron Burr
• Elgin Botanic Garden
• New York Academy of Medicine
• College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Columbia University