John Archer

John Archer (May 5, 1741 – September 28, 1810) was a physician, slaveowner, and U.S. Congressman from Maryland, representing the sixth district for three terms from 1801 to 1807. His son, Stevenson Archer and grandson Stevenson Archer II were also Congressmen from Maryland.

Early life Archer was born on May 5, 1741, near Churchville in the Province of Maryland, and attended the West Nottingham Academy in Cecil County, later graduating from Princeton College in 1760 with a Bachelor of Arts and in 1763 with a Master of Arts. He studied theology, but owing to a throat affliction, he abandoned his studies in that area and began the study of medicine. He graduated as a physician from the College of Philadelphia on June 21, 1768, receiving the first medical diploma issued on the American continent.

Career In July 1769, Archer commenced the practice of law in Harford County.

Personal life Archer married Catherine Harris on October 18, 1766. His son was Stevenson Archer, chief justice.

A descendant of Dr. John Archer, one Henry Wilson Archer and his wife Mary Elizabeth Walker Archer, bought the 65 acre farm "Shamrock" from Ellen Howe Davis in 1850. The farm was retained in the Archer family until 1955 when it was sold to the Sparr Construction Company to become the current development of Shamrock in Bel Air. The mansion on the property, along with 5 acres was purchased by Nicholas J. Bonge, and named the "Christian Bible Center". He had plans of restoring the home for a Christian orphanage. After his untimely death in 1961, it was resold and, sadly, burned to the ground by a contingent of 70 Harford County Firemen in October 1963 to make way for the development.

John Archer School, a special education school built in 1971 in Bel Air was named after Archer. In June 2022, the school board voted to rename the school to Harford Academy on Campus Hill due to Archer's ownership of slaves.