Benjamin Raphael

Dr. Benjamin I. Raphael (November 8, 1818 – March 17, 1880) was born in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a medical degree. His father taught him the game of chess. He would later visit New York and went to the New York Chess Club, held in Carlton House, and it was here that he was able to strengthen his game by playing more formidable opponents such as Col. Charles D. Mead, Charles Stanley, and James Thompson, who at first gave him the odds of a knight.

Career After three years' attendance at New York Hospital, having completed his medical studies there, he traveled to Europe where he practiced medicine at the La Charite hospital in Paris. While in Paris he frequented the Café de la Régence where he often had games with Pierre Saint-Amant and Lionel Kieseritzky.