Alexander Brown Mott

Alexander Brown Mott (March 31, 1826 – August 12, 1889) was an American surgeon and soldier.

Early life Alexander Brown Mott was born in New York City on March 31, 1826, the son of Dr. Valentine Mott and Louisa D. (Mums) Mott, and grandson of Dr. Henry Mott, a descendant from an English Quaker, who in 1660 settled on Long Island. He was educated privately by Professor William Darling, M.D., of the University Medical College of New York, and at the Columbia College Grammar School, there remaining until 1836, when he went to Europe with his parents. He remained abroad five years, and received a good classical education. In spite of his Quaker blood he had a great fondness for a military life, and on his return to New York he entered West Point, but abandoned this in deference to his father's wishes. He then passed a year in France and Germany about 1842, and occupied a position in the naval agency in Marseille. Two years after, Mott became the private secretary of Commodore Charles Morris, of the U.S. Navy, who was then in charge of the Mediterranean Squadron. He afterwards made a journey to Spain, and was present at the siege and surrender of Barcelona, and took part in the fighting in command of a battery. On his return to Marseille he was offered and accepted a position with a firm in that city, and during 1845 he was sent by them to Turkey, Greece, Piedmont, Italy, and Austria.

Medical career With his father's successful and brilliant career before him, he began to seriously consider entering the medical profession. He commenced his studies in medicine at Havre, and on his return to New York resumed them, in his father's office. He graduated from the New York Medical College in 1849; the University of Pennsylvania in 1850, and the Castleton Medical College in 1849, and besides he attended a course of lectures at the University Medical College. In 1849 he assisted in founding St. Vincent's Hospital, and in 1853 became visiting surgeon. Dr. Alexander Mott was appointed surgeon to the New York Dispensary in 1850. From 1855 to 1863 he was attending surgeon to the Jewish Hospital, and for fourteen years he was surgeon to the Charity Hospital. At the University Medical Clinic he performed many difficult surgical operations, where he acted as his father's prosector for a number of years. He was one of the founders of the Bellevue Medical College, where he at one time held the chair of surgical anatomy, and was professor of clinical and operative surgery from 1872 until his death. He was consulting surgeon to the bureau of medicine and surgical relief to the out-door poor, and in 1859–1884 he held the appointment of attending surgeon at Bellevue Hospital.

Mott died in Yonkers, New York, on August 12, 1889.