Author: Caldwell, Charles
Biography:
Caldwell, Charles (1772-1853: WBIS)
Born in Caswell County NC, the son of a farmer, he studied medicine first at Salisbury NC and then at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he received his MD in 1796. Besides his private practice, he lectured on medicine and published both original studies and translations of works on physiology, fevers, phrenology, and mesmerism. Described as "ambitious, pompous, vain, and possessing a massive ego," he quarrelled with colleagues and had few close friends. His first marriage ended in divorce. Failing to achieve the promotions he sought in Philadelphia, he moved on to build up the medical school at Transylvania University in Lexington KY and then (having been dismissed from his position there) to do the same for the school of medicine in Louisville. He contributed to the Philadelphia literary magazine Port Folio and, starting in 1814, for a short time served as its editor. His Autobiography was published in 1855. (ANBO 30 Jan. 2018)