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The 1st African-American slave to formally practice medicine...
The 1st African-American slave to formally practice medicine...
Item # 660785
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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, (Philadelphia), January, 1789* James Derham, esteemed and promoted by Dr. Benjamin Rush - 1st African American (and slave) to officially practice medicine
* Thomas Fuller - an uneducated slave with incredible mathematical ability
* Reflections upon Lexington & Concord
The most noteworthy article begins on page 61 under the heading, "At a meeting of the Pennsylvania Society for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free negroes, unlawfully held in bondage--ordered, that the following certificates, communicated by Dr. Rush, be published", and tells of James Derham, the 1st African-American to formally practice medicine in The United States. Quite historic. The following article is also noteworthy in that it tells of a slave, Thomas Fuller, the "Virginia Calculator," who was "...a negro slave of seventy years old. This man possesses a talent for arithmetical calculation; the history of which, I conceive, merits a place in the records of the human mind." Although uneducated, Thomas had incredible Mathematical ability. Note: Soon thereafter he would be examined by Dr. Benjamin Rush who would describe him as having Savant Syndrome (not mentioned in this article). See images for details regrading both articles.
The first article has: "Particulars Relative to the Nature & Customs of the Indians in North America." which takes 2 1/2 pages, followed by a similar article on the languages of the Indians.
Other articles within include: "...Respecting the Making of Parmesan Cheese" "A Brief Account of Kentucke" "Remarks on the Policy of Punishing Murder by Death" "Resolutions of the County of Suffolk" "Declaration, Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, & Non-Exportation agreement of the American Congress resolved on Oct. 24, 1774" "Documents Respecting the Battles of Lexington & Concord" which takes nearly ten pages (great reading); and much more.
Near the back is a page of "American Intelligence" with news reports from various cities (see for beginning) as well as a nice letter of endorsement for the "American Museum" signed in type by: George Washington (see).
Complete in over 100 pages, disbound and uncut, lacking an outer title page, otherwise in very nice, clean condition. One inside inconsequential page has an archival mend.
One of the more successful American magazines of the 18th century, in fact one of a relatively few which survived more than a few years. And from this critical period in American history just a few months before Washington's inauguration and from the formative period of the federal government.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
No Longer Available
