Jacob Bigelow
Jacob Bigelow | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 27, 1787 |
| Died | January 10, 1879 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Physician, botanist |
| Known for | Medical botany, Mount Auburn Cemetery |
Jacob Bigelow (February 27, 1787 – January 10, 1879) was an American physician, botanist, and educator. He is best known for his work in medical botany and for his role in the establishment of Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Jacob Bigelow was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, to a family with a strong interest in science and education. He attended Harvard College, where he graduated in 1806. He then studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his M.D. in 1810.
Career[edit | edit source]
After completing his medical degree, Bigelow returned to Boston, where he began practicing medicine. He quickly became known for his expertise in botany and pharmacology. In 1817, he was appointed as a professor of materia medica at Harvard Medical School, a position he held until 1855.
Medical botany[edit | edit source]
Bigelow's most significant contribution to the field of medicine was his work in medical botany. He authored the three-volume work American Medical Botany, published between 1817 and 1820. This work was one of the first comprehensive studies of North American medicinal plants and their uses.
Mount Auburn Cemetery[edit | edit source]
In addition to his work in medicine and botany, Bigelow played a crucial role in the establishment of Mount Auburn Cemetery, the first rural cemetery in the United States. Founded in 1831, the cemetery was designed to be a peaceful and picturesque resting place, in contrast to the crowded and unsanitary urban burial grounds of the time. Bigelow's vision for Mount Auburn Cemetery influenced the development of the rural cemetery movement in America.
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Jacob Bigelow married Mary Scollay in 1817, and they had several children. He continued to be active in his professional and personal pursuits until his death in 1879.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Jacob Bigelow's contributions to medicine, botany, and the cemetery movement have left a lasting impact. His work in medical botany provided valuable knowledge about the medicinal properties of plants, and his efforts in establishing Mount Auburn Cemetery set a precedent for the design and development of cemeteries in the United States.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External links[edit | edit source]
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