Nathan Smith Davis

Nathan Smith Davis Sr., M.D., LLD (January 9, 1817 – June 16, 1904) was a physician who was instrumental in the establishment of the American Medical Association He became the first editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Biography Davis was born near Greene, Chenango County, New York. He lived and worked on the farm until 16 years of age, attending district school in the winter, and studying for six months in Cazenovia Seminary. At the age of 17 he began mastering medicine under Dr. Daniel Clark, attended three courses of lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York, Fairfield, and was graduated from that institution, on January 31, 1837, with a thesis on "Animal Temperature". He first practiced in Vienna, New York, but after a few months moved to Binghamton, New York and soon after settled in New York City. He was a member of the International Medical Congress in 1876, and at that time read a notable paper on "American Medical Institutions." In 1887 he was secretary-general and later president of the Ninth International Medical Congress in Washington. While organizing this congress, he was stricken with cerebral hemorrhage, but recovered within three weeks.

Davis was the founder of the American Medical Association (AMA), served as its president in 1864 and 1865 and as a trustee from 1882 to 1884. He was also a founder of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Chicago Historical Society, the Illinois State Microscopical Society and Union College of Law, of which he was professor of medical jurisprudence. He was also an honorary member of the British Medical Association, and many other scientific societies in the US and abroad, a charter member of the American Medical Association, American Medical Temperance Association, Illinois State Medical Society, and the Chicago Medical Society. A Chicago Public School was later named after him.

Graves of Nathan Smith Davis Jr. (left) and Sr. (right) at Rosehill Cemetery

Davis was a voluminous writer. Among his chief contributions to the medical literature are his "Principles and Practice of Medicine", "Medical Education and Reform", "Verdict of Science Concerning the Effects of Alcohol on Man", and "Clinical Lectures". In 1876 he was first attacked by a prostatic disease, from which he suffered until his death. On June 5, 1904, he was taken ill, showing signs of uremic poisoning. Up to within one hour of his death he talked clearly and well. He died in Chicago on June 16, quietly and without pain. He was buried at Rosehill Cemetery.

Davis's son and grandson of the same name themselves became physicians.