Bushrod Washington James

Bushrod Washington James (August 25, 1836 – January 6, 1903) was an American homeopath, surgeon, educator, writer, and philanthropist. He worked as an eye doctor for seventeen years at the Children's Homoeopathic Hospital and founded the Bushrod James Ear and Eye Institute. He was a consulting physician at Hahnemann Hospital and chair of physiology, climatology, and sanitary science for the New York Medical College for Women. During the American Civil War he served as a member of the United States Christian Commission and as a volunteer surgeon. He served as president of the American Institute of Homeopathy and the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

He bequeathed land and money for the maintenance of the Bushrod Washington James Eye and Ear Institute as well as creation of a school of domestic science at the American Temperance University, Bushrod Park, and the Bushrod branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Early life and education James was born August 25, 1836, to David and Amanda James, in Somerton, a village later incorporated into Philadelphia. He was educated by private teachers and graduated from Philadelphia Central High School. He graduated from the Homeopathic College of Pennsylvania in 1857. He studied surgery under David Hayes Agnew at the Philadelphia School of Anatomy.

Career He worked as an attending physician at the Northern Home for Friendless Children. He gained extensive experience in ophthalmology

He served as a delegate for the American Institute of Homeopathy and later as its president. In 1857, he served as president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. He was chair of physiology, climatology, and sanitary science for three years at the New York Medical College for Women.

During the American Civil War, he served as a member of the United States Christian Commission, as a volunteer surgeon during the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Gettysburg, and was interred at Monument Cemetery. In 1956, his remains and monument were moved to West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Philanthropy He never married He also left $55,000 in cash and property for the maintenance of the Bushrod Washington James Eye and Ear Institute. He bequeathed property to the city of Oakland, California, for the creation of Bushrod Park; and to Coronado, California, for the creation of the Bushrod Washington James Institute for the education of children. He left property and $5,000 to the American Temperance University in Harriman, Tennessee, for the creation of a school of domestic science and an educational fund.

Publications Rules for the Treatment of Asiatic Cholera Homoeopathically, Philadelphia: F.E. Boericke, 1872 Improvements in Surgery, 1872 American Resorts: With Notes Upon Their Climate, Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 1889 Alaskana: Or, Alaska in Descriptive and Legendary Poems, Philadelphia: Porter & Coates, 1892 Alaska's Great Future - The Decision Regarding Bering Sea, 1894 Echoes of Battle, Philadelphia: H.T. Coates & Company, 1895 Alaska, Its Neglected Past, Its Brilliant Future, Philadelphia: The Sunshine publishing company, 1897 The Political Freshman, Philadelphia, 1902