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NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
             Washington
Founded 1836
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service 
 
B? B1ENJ? S. BARTON.
.&»
* 
A  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
READ PURSUANT TO APPOINTMENT BEFORE THE PHILADELPHIA
  MEDICAL SOCIETY, AT A STATED MEETING, ON SATURDAY, 16TH
  FEBRUARY  1810,
                                         I

                 OF THEIR LATE PRESIDENT



             PROFESSOR BARTON
BY WILLIAM P. C. BARTON, M. D.
    AN HONORARY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY.
             "I come to bury Cssar, not to praise him."
     Such were the words of Mark Antony, (according to the
poet,) over the dead body of the valorous, the invincible warrior
of Roman fame; and  surely never fell from human lips a speech
more copious or more eloquent!
     How admirably does it not convey, in a few brief syllables, a
code of charitable and benevolent duties!  How shrewdly does it
not intimate, that a great man's eulogy should neither breathe the
empty sentiments'of indiscriminate praise, nor the fulsome strains
of adoration.  Such commendation is as evanescent as it is injudi-
cious and unmerited.   Test the verity of its spirit by the light of
reason, or the dispassionate" dictates of judgment, and it is no
more.
     Does it not too tell us, that if  Caesar had worth, his death
could not extinguish it—<nor his mortal absence from the sight
r>f the world—obliterate its recollection of his greatness? 
4
BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH  OF
     Viewing, then, in this point of light, the duty I am called up-
 on to perform,  it shall be  my endeavour to obey the command of
 my associates in this  body, (for such, gentlemen, I consider your
 invitation,) with fidelity and with truth.
     It is not a formal eulogium, that is expected from me, on the
 present occasion, nor is it an  eulogium that I would desire to deli-
 ver:—that should be attempted  by some hand, more competent
 to the arduous  undertaking;  by some one more  capable of doing
 justice to a subject of such magnitude, and requiring much nicer
 elegance of style, more appropriate powers for publick address, than
 I possess, or aspire to—but, in  exhibiting to you such an  histori-
 cal sketch of the life of the  late professor Barton, principally in
 relation to his professional  character, and of his literary and scien-
 tifick attainments  and  pursuits,—as my limited time and  materials
 enable me to offer, I may be considered, even by those  who may
feel disposed to question the delicacy of my acceptance  of this
 office, as only perfonning my duty to this society, in commemorat-
 ing the didactic talents and scientific attainments of its late eminent
 president; such a  sketch too, may justly be considered, as furnish-
 ing that, Avhich of itself, constitutes a theme of exalted eulogy.
    Benjamin Smith Barton, a younger son of the late reverend
 Thomas Barton, a learned  episcopal clergyman) long resident at
 Lancaster in this state, Avas born in that opulent and comparatively
 ancient  borough,  on  the 10th  day of February, 1766.  He bore
 the intermediate name of Smith (given to him at his baptism) in
token of the intimate friendship that had subsisted, during a period  *
 of twenty-five years, between  his father, and the then learned pro-
 vost of the university of that name, by whom he was baptised.*
 His mother was a sister of the celebrated Rittenhouse.  Both his
 parents were eminently qualified to infuse into the minds of their
 children,  the rudiments of knowledge, and the principles  of vir-
 tue; but, unfortunately, their  younger children were too soon de-
 prived of these advantages.   The subject of this memoir  lost his
 mother when he  was little  more than  eight years of  age;  and
 though his father's death did  not happen till  he  had attained
 his fourteenth year, he Avas  bereaved of the parental  care  and
 instruction of one of the best of parents, about  a year and a half
* Dr. William Smith. 
                   PROFESSOR  BARTON.                ,  5

before that event.   His father left Pennsylvania early in the au-
tumn of 1778, intending  to proceed  to  Europe; but he was ar-
rested by sickness before he could, with convenience embark, and
never returned.  Thus at the  age of fourteen was his son Benja-
min left an orphan.
     Mr. Barton had, however, before his departure from Lancas-
ter,  taken care to provide  for his  minor children, a suitable and
convenient place of abode in the neighbourhood  of that  town:
where they were placed in the midst of many of his best and most
faithful friends, and under the immediate superintendance of a per-
son of great worth and long experienced friendship for the family.
Comfortably  situated  in  this  pleasant rural retirement, this lit-
tle household continued  between  one and  two years: and there,
abstracted from  the noise and bustle of a town, our youthful stu-
dent—ever assiduous from a very early period of his life, in the ac-
quisition  of knowledge,—devoted much of his time to reading.
He never appeared to be  fond of those active bodily pursuits and
athletick exercises, in which  boys employ  much of their  time;
though he occasionally engaged in them. The scene around him was
Avell adapted to the contemplation of nature, and he was of a con-
templative turn of mind.    His inclination seemed,  at that period
of his life, to direct to the study of civil history; of which he very
early acquired a considerable knoAvledge: but it is not improbable,
that having, during the life  of his father, and wh'le under his roof,
acquired some taste for natural history and the culture of plants—«
subjects to which that gentleman devoted much of his attention* —
     * It appears hy a paragraph in a note to the " Observations on the desiderata
of natural history," that Dr. Barton's father had paid very considerable attention
to some part of natural history.  Speaking of tin, which upon the authority of
Gronovius, Dr. Barton says has been found in Pennsylvania he has the following
remark: " If I do not greatly mistake, there were specimens of tin in the fine
collection of North American minerals, Avhich was made by my father near forty
years ago, at a time when he paid more attention to this part of natural history
than  so far as I  know,  any other person in the (then) colonies.  The greater
part of my  father's collection was sent to  England; but falling into  the hands
of those who knew but little of its value, it has never been heard much of, or
mentioned in any of the printed accounts of minerals that I have seen."
    There is moreover, in the family, and I believe  now  among the late Dr.
Barton's manuscripts,  a letter from Linnaeus to the doctor's father, in which he 
 6             BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH  OF

 the objects of this kind by which he  was surrounded while in the
 country, may have  drawn his mind to  similar pursuits, and the
 cultivation of natural science generally—certain it is, that his pre-
dilection for natural  history—more especially for botany—disco-
vered itself very early.
     In the  spring of the year 1780, our young student (with one
of his brothers) Avas removed to the town of York, in this state,
where he Avas placed in  an academy, then under  the direction of
that  accomplished scholar, Dr. Andrews, late provost of the uni-
versity, and who had himself been a student of divinity of Dr.
Barton's father.  There he continued nearly tAvo years; and, hav-
ing his studies directed,  during that time, by so able a preceptor,
the student, aided by his own genius and  great application, ac-
quired that  critical knowledge of the learned languages, more es-
pecially of the Latin, which formed so prominent a feature in his
literary attainments.  Young as he then was, he read the Greek
and  Roman authors Avith avidity, and became enamoured of clas-
sic learning:—this is strongly evinced by many of his juvenile let-
ters  to his brother William, between September 1780, and March
 1782, considering this brother the eldest of the family—as he then
did—in the  light of  his natural guardian  and best  friend; a char-
acter in which he repeatedly recognized him.
     At the age of sixteen  years, this young scholar made his first
attempt in composition, in  an  " Essay on the -vices of the times."
This essay is still in existence.   It  bears  testimony to the early
genius and discernment of the writer, and possesses no inconsider-
able portion of merit, even in point of style.  He  manifested  too,
very early in life, a vivid fancy for drawing; and in the execution
of his designs with the pencil, at an immature age, he discovered
that  taste and genius in the art, Avhich  he afterwards cultivated
with much  success, and practised, in occasional hours of leisure,
with great accuracy.  This was  a talent that he  often  rendered

tells him that  Cuscuta Enropea (a  little twining parasitick plant) will probably
 be found in America, and stating that the plant generally  (then)  called by that
 name, was a distinct species and should be  called Cuscuta  Americana.  This
 letter (and there may have been more) seems to imply that the reverend Mr.
 Barton  had paid some  attention to botany, and had even  corresponded with
Linnseus on the subject. 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
7
subservient to his pursuits in natural history and botany;* branches
of  science which are  greatly assisted in  their  acquisition by
the investigator  possessing, himself,  a facility in  copying  the
subjects appertaining to them.  Besides  his  extreme neatness,
faithfulness and truth, in the delineation of natural objects, more
particularly of plants, by the pencil, he acquired great adroitness
in the beautiful art of etching on  copper, and I have now in my
possession, among other  efforts of this kind, the figure of a dog,
which exhibits the most true and  perfect  attainment of this nice
art I  have ever seen—It Avas made about  five years ago.   Dr.
Barton  did not despise these adventitious aids of science, and he
often declared it as his opinion, that no man could become a nice,
discriminating, and eminent botanist, without possessing that acu-
men  in perception of proportion,  colour, harmony of design, and
obscure differences  in the  objects of the  vegetable world, which
alone belong to the  eye  of a painter.   The accuracy, the vivid-
ness, the sensibility  (if I may be allowed  the expression)  of his
eye,  were truly wonderful.   I dwell more on  these points than in
the estimation of some, pephaps, they may seem to merit, because
they  have a near relation to the authenticity of the engravings that
accompany  some of his works.  I know they may be relied on,
for what passed his inspection and received his approbation, in this
way, must be faithful as the  pencil  and  the  graver could make
them.   Those who painted the  subjects of  natural history! for

      * The following extract from a letter written by Dr. Barton to his cousin,
 July  14, 1785, from the western boundary of Pennsylvania, shows that he very
 early applied his talent for painting to useful purpose:
      "  Tell H---- she may depend upon the promise I made her, of drawing
 her a landscape; and probably some other pictures.  I have already taken draw-
 ings of several curious and beautiful flowers, together with one of the falls of the
 river  Youh: this last I will send her as soon as a safe opportunity offers."
                                                 Benjamin Barton.
      f  I have frequently painted these subjects for him, and  can therefore speak
 with  the more certainty of the fact,  fn all my draAvings made for him, whether
 of plants, animals, bones, &c. I  learnt the absolute necessity (to please his eye)
 of adhering very faithfully to my models.  The first lessons I ever received of
 scrupulous correctness in drawings of this nature, were from him.  In fact he
 was,  if  I may he allowed to use such language, religiously conscientious not to
 suffer any things of this nature to pass with his name, unless they were true and 
s
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH  OF
him knoAv, and those who have multiplied those paintings by the
graphick art also  know,  and  can verify the  statement I have
given, of his uncommon perception of errors, in draAvings and en-
gravings.   It  always took quick  cognizance  of those  defects,
which other delineators of natural  objects, or, in different Avords,
other naturalists Avho suffer the authenticity  of their names to ac-
company unfaithful or caricatured representations of the Avorks of
nature, too frequently alloAV to escape their observation, and in this
way bring  into disrepute the  real  advantages derived from pic-
tured illustrations.
     In the year 1782 the eldest brother of the subject of this me-
moir, took him into his family in this city, in which situation he
continued betAveen four and  five years.  During this period he
prosecuted his collegiate and medical studies; the first in the col-
lege of Philadelphia, where however  he did not take the degree
of bachelor of arts, and the latter under the celebrated anatomical
professor Dr. William Shippen,  Avith Avhom he commenced  the
study of medicine, in the beginning of his eighteenth year.
     While he was  yet a pupil of Dr. Shippen, he accompanied
his uncle, Mr. Rittenhouse, and the other commissioners appoint-
ed for that purpose, in running the Avestern boundary line of Penn-
sylvania. On this occasion he was absent from Philadelphia about
five months, having set out with the commissioners in May, 1785,
and returned in October following. He Avas then only between nine-
teen and twenty years of age, but from his scientifick acquirements
he Avas an useful associate of the commissioners.  It was in this
excursion that he first had an opportunity of mixing with the sa-
vage natives of this country—then  he first turned his attention to
their manners, their history, their medicines  and pathology, and to
other  interesting points of inquiry, all of which he pursued Avith

faithful representations.  In evidence of this I will only mention this one fact,—
that in the drawing of the horny lizard, of which he has had a superh engraving
made, he caused every spinous process or horny protuberance (which were ex-
ceedingly numerous) on the back, tail,  and legs of the animal, to be distinctly
and separately counted, and made to correspond, even  innumbcr, in the drawing.
This indeed may be considered as overreaching the point of necessary truth, and
I so considered and still consider it; but it at least must be received as a remark-
able evidence of a Avish, to adhere to faithfulness in portraits of nature. 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
 great zeal for the remainder of his life.  His researches on these
 subjects, are among the most ingenious, if not the-most useful of
 his labeurs.  They enriched his philosophical inquiries and spe*
 culations with curious facts, and enhanced the value of his inves-
 tigations  of the  materia medica  and alimentaria, with some of
 their most important additions.
     Dr. Rittenhouse, who early perceived and( acknowledged the
 talents  of his young  relative, procured for him  this  important
 situation—important,  as it  gave the first impulse to that spirit of
 inquiry and research into the history of our Indians, Avhich has re-
 sulted in an accumulation of so many curious materials relative
 to their origin and the affinities of their language.
     This  learned man  continued to Dr. Barton, through  life, a
 firm and a constant, as he  was an illustrious friend.  In a letter
 published in the memoirs of Rittenhouse, the doctor thus acknow-
 ledges the succour and  the patronage he received from his dis-
 tinguished relation:
     " He Avas dear to us both, to all his relatives and friends, and
 to his country.   To me, let  me add, he was peculiarly dear.  The
 most happy and  profitable  hours  of  my life Avere  passed  in the
 society of this virtuous man.  I folloAved his footsteps in the.wil-
 derness of our country, Avhere he was the first to carry the tele-
 scope, and to mark the motions and positions of the planets.  In
 the bosom of his family, I  listened to his lessons, as an humble
 disciple of Socrates or  Plato.   Science mixed with virtue Avas
 ever inculcated from his lips.  But to me Mr. Rittenhouse was
 more than a friend and preceptor.  He was  a father and sup-
porter.   He laid the foundation of Avhat little prosperity in life I
 no\v, or may in future enjoy: and  if it shall ever be my fortune.
 either by my labours or my zeal, to advance the progress of sci-
 ence, or to reflect any honour upon my country, I should  be the
 most ungrateful of men, if I did not acknowledge and Avish it to be
 known that it was David Rittenhouse who enabled me to be use-
 ful *"
     Towards the close of the following summer, Dr. Barton em-
 barked for Great Britain, Avith the view of prosecuting still further
his medical studies at the university of Edinburgh. He remained
            * .*pe Barton's Memoirs oL' Rittenhouse, p. 445 
10            BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

at that school about two years; except some few months in the
earlier part of the year 1787, which he passed in London.  During
his  residence  in Edinburgh he applied himself Avith unremitted
zeal to his professional studies, attending very regularly the lec-
tures of the eminent  medical professors Avho then taught in that
university.
    In his letters from  that  place to his  brother  William, he
mentions in terms of high respect the late doctors Walker, Gre-
gory,  Black and  Hume; from all of AVhom, particularly the first
named, who Avas the  professor of natural history, he received the
most marked attentions.  Indeed he frequently, in his lectures on
natural history, introduced the name of Dr: Walker,  and ever
spoke of him in terms of unbounded respect, and even veneration.
He thought he owed much of his success in pursuits of natural
history, to the  kind encouragement of this professor, united to the
fostering and encouraging notice and friendship of  the late  Mr.
Thomas Pennant, a well known and distinguished English natu-
ralist, Avith whom he  was long in habits of  correspondence and
good fellowship.  As an evidence of his high respect for  this
great man, he  named his only  son  after  him, and often spoke in
terms of satisfaction  of this circumstance, since he  said his  mo-
tives for the compliment could never be misconstrued,  Mr. Pen-
nant having  died a considerable time before  his friend gave his
name  to his son.
    It appears from  a letter to his brother,  dated at  Edinburg on
the 29th of September, 1789,  that his health, even at  that early
period of his  life, had been delicate.  " My spitting of  blood,"
says he, " has  left me, and I am no longer tortured Avith the gout."
In the  same letter he mentions, that he had then lately received
his  diploma from the Lisbon academy;  and that Dr.  Rush had
written him a very  polite  and friendly letter. At Edinburgh he
experienced many marks of the respect in which his talents were
there held.  Young as he was at that time,  he obtained from the
Royal  Medical Society at Edinburgh—of which he was admitted a
member before he had been a  year in that  metropolis—an hono-
rary premium  for his  dissertation on the Hyosciamus niger* (of Lin-
naeus)—This was the Harveian prize.  About three years ago he
    * A deleterious plant, commonly known by the name of Black-henbane 
PROFESSOR BARTON
11
deceived the prize (the first having been lost.) It consists of a su-
perb quarto edition of the works of William Harvey, elegantly
bound and  gilt: on the fly leaf of which is the following inscrip-
tion in manuscript, and signed by the elder Dr. Duncan.

                      Hanc ingenii mercedem
                        aequo jure decretam
         Viro generoso Benjamini Smith Barton, Pennsylvariiensi:
                   Propter segregiam dissertationem
                        de Hyosciamo nigro,
                   '   publice tradendam curabat
                Sodalitas Edinensis Filiorum iEsculapii,
               Festo solemni in Harveii honorem instituto,
                         Pridie Idus Aprilis
                              1787
                                Andreas Duncan, senr. a secret.

     While Dr. Barton was in London in the first part of the year
 1787, he published there a little tract, entitled « Observations on
 some parts of Natural History: to which is prefixed an account of
 some considerable vestiges of an  ancient date,  which have  been
 discovered  in different parts of North  America."  This is called
 Part I, and is inscribed to his eldest brother.  It appears  that he
intended to have completed his Avork  in one octavo volume, con-
sisting of four parts on the subject of natural history; the first, as
he observes in the preface, being a distinct work, having no con-
nexion with that branch of  science.   This  was the first work he
 ever published.  Although in this little book the Dr. evinced much
ingenuity and a laudable spirit of research in relation to the anti-
quities of his native country, the work is evidently the perform-
ance of  a young writer,  and, in fact, the author was then  only in
the twehty-second year of his age: besides, it was written under
the pressure of bodily infirmity, occasioned by ill health, and amidst
many discouraging circumstances.  Indeed, he soon regretted the
< premature' publication of the work; for he candidly acknowledged
its deficiencies, within a  few months after its appearance. Speak-
ing of it, in a letter of  the  29th of Sept. 1787, addressed  to his
brother from Edinburgh, he said, " Avhen you write to me, do give
me your unreserved opinion concerning this premature perform-
ance;  let me.hoAvever  previously observe, that I am  already 
m
 12           BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

ashamed of many parts of it; and I am confident my language has
made you simile.   But perhaps an apology may be urged in my
behalf: the subject is entirely new, and the Avork was written at a
time when the mind Avas in that fickle and inconstant state, so fre-
quently the attendant and consequence of disease.   NotAvithstand-
ing all its  imperfections,  I am not sorry that I  have given the
work to the public: I have  at least the credit of having  directed
the attention of the Avorld  to a curious and interesting inquiry—
but peculiarly so to an American.  You  will  say, my hypotheses
are puerile and crude; but can they be more so than the hypothe-
ses of antiquaries on most subjects?—I think not.   You will also
say I  should have suffered  my  work to lie on  the  shelf for a
feAv years;  but then  the facts I have  given  to  the world would
have been  all this time unknoAvn."  These frank confessions of
faults do honour to a young author, more especially, to one Avho af-
terwards acquired so much  literary fame  as the late Professor
Barton.  They are introduced on this occasion,.as a laudable ex-
ample of candour, in a man of great intellectual poAvers—as one
worthy of being imitated  by all  young authors  too tenacious of
their OAvn opinions.  Yet after all, the book in question,  is  by no
means so deficient in merit, as its author, himself, seemed to con-
sider it.  On the contrary, it does credit to so young a writer.
     For reasons Avhich he communicated to  his brother  by a let-
ter dated at London, the 2d of February, 1789, Dr. Barton chose
to obtain his medical diploma from the celebrated German uni-
versity, founded by George the II, at Gottingen, in the duchy of
BrunsAvick, rather than to  apply for one  Avhich he was entitled to
receive^ from the university of Edinburgh.   With these reasons,
there might, perhapSj-have been blended some degree of dissatis-
faction Avith the deportment of tAvo of the professors in the medi-
cal school of the latter, toAvards him; one of these, to Avhom on his
arrival at Edinburgh he presented an highly recommendatory let-
ter from his preceptor in medicine,  professor  Shippen—never
 shoAved him the slightest attention; and the conduct of the other
 Avas, as he conceived, reprehensible for a similar cause. Yet, while
 he acknowledged with  gratitude  and a  commendable pride, the
 very polite and friendly attention with which he Avas honoured by
 all the other professors, it can scarcely  be doubted that circum- 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
13
stances of this nature would have increased—if they did not origi-
nally excite, in the mind of a young man of quick sensibility, those
unpleasant sensations which  he then  experienced.   But however
this may have been, certain it is, that he  determined to graduate
at Gotting     I have not been able to ascertain at what time he
visited the German university, for that purpose.  It appears that
he repaired to the continent  of Europe, after he finally left Edin-
burgh in the autumn of 1788:  consequently, he must have gone to
Gottingen between that period, and the time of his departure from
England,  in the latter end of July 1789, on his return to America.
It may be proper to notice in this place, that Avhilst  in  London,
Dr.  Barton Avas treated with great  kindness and attention by the
celebrated Mr. John Hunter, in consequence of  his presenting to
that illustrious anatomist,  an introductory letter* from Professor
Shippen.   It appears also, from  the doctor's letter last referred
to, that while in London, in the winter of 1788-9, some favourable
proposals were made to him to settle in Russia: but his strong at'
tachment to the country of his birth, and to his relatives and friends
in that country, induced him to decline the acceptance of an invi-
tation, which would,  probably, have  been highly acceptable to a
young man of equal ambition and less feeling.  He received while
in England  very uncommon proofs of friendship and regard, from
the late Dr. Lettsome.t  These Dr. Barton duly appreciated, and
in a dedication of one of his AvorksJ: to him he says, "  Your atten-
tions to me, during my residence in London, in the year 1787, were
those of a kind and affectionate friend, and cannot be readily for-
gotten.  Nor have you withdraAvn your attentions, notwithstanding
the distance by which we are separated from each other.''
     After an absence of somewhat  mortxthan three  years, Dr.
Barton arrived at Philadelphia, from  London, and Avas immediately
received int© the family of his eldest brother, with Avhom he had

    * This letter was accompanied by drawings of the Ohio bones.
    f I was introduced to this eminent physician  when in London, about four
years ago, by my friend the present Dr. Rush; and the warm and friendly man-
ner of his inquiries after his old friend strongly evidenced, that the high esteem
he had conceived for him, was neither abated by time, nor effaced by distance.
    + Collections for an essay towards a materia medica of the United States-
Part second, 1804, 
14
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
 ahvays corresponded from his earliest youth, when residing at  a
 distance from him   He remained in  his brother's family a lew
 months, until he was enabled to make  suitable arrangements, and
 to provide himself with a convenient situation, for  establishing
 himself in the practice of physick, in this capital: he had then com-
 pleted the twenty-fourth year of his age,
     The well known abilities of Dr. Barton, introduced him speedily
 into notice, and soon after he began to  get into some practice as  a
 physician.   By his reputation, too, for attainments m natural sci-
 ence, he acquired  literary and academick honours, at a period of
 life  when, in ordinary  cases, the  conferring of such would be
 deemed premature; for soon after his return to America,* he was
 chosen a member of the American Philosophical Society in this
 city, of which he became on the 1st of Jan. 1802, one  of the vice-
 presidents, an office he  continued to hold till the day of his death.
 From the first period of his election to membership of this society,
 he became one of its most active, as he Avas one of its most intelligent
 members.   The printed transactions of the.society are evidences
 of this.   They contain many papers on various subjects relating
 to natural science, from his pen.
     I have noAv arrived  at that period of the life of Dr. Barton,
 in which he made his debut on the theatre of science, as a publick
 teacher.  Previously to doing this, however, I pray your patience
 for a few moments, while I take  a necessary retrospect of the be-
 ginning of this great medical school, which now vies with the far-
 famed universities of  Edinburgh and Leyden.
     In the year 1765, the original plan of the college of Philadel-
 phia, Avas greatly enlarged, by the addition of the medical school;
 with the appointment of professors for reading lectures in  anato-
my,  botany, chemistry,  the materia medica, the theory and prac-
tice of physick, and also for delivering clinical lectures in the Penn-
sylvania hospital.
     Dr. William Shippen the younger, first filled the anatomical
chair in the College of Philadelphia, afterwards the University of
Pennsylvania, which he continued to occupy  for nearly forty-three
years, with great respectability.   He may justly be considered as
the  founder of the medical department of this school.  He era-
* On the 16th of January 1789. 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
15
barked alone in the capacity of private lecturer on anatomy in the
winter of 1762-3,  being the first winter after his return from his
studies  in Europe.  His success as a private lecturer, demon-
strated the expediency of engrafting a medical school on the Col-
lege of Philadelphia, and in consequence, he  Avas  unanimously
elected the professor of anatomy and surgery, on the 17th of Sep-
tember, 1765.  This able teacher held that chair until his  death,
which occurred the 11th of July, 1808, in the seventy-fifth year of
his age.*  I have been more particular in relation to  Dr. Shippen,
because he was, as I have just stated, the founder of the medical
school;  for until  he delivered lectures in Philadelphia, the voice
of a publick lecturer had never been heard here. Dr. Adam Kuhn,
now living and in the practice of medicine in this city, who had
been a pupil of Linnaeus at Upsal, was appointed professor of bo-
tany, connected with the materia medica.  The late eminent Dr.
Rush was appointed to the chair of chymistry, and Dr. Thomas
Bond, an ingenious and eminent physician, gave clinical lectures
in the Pennsylvania  Hospital.  In the year 1789, the trustees of
the College of Philadelphia instituted a professorship of natural
history and botany, Avhich was conferred on Dr. Barton, then only
twenty-four years  of age.   Dr. Kuhn had previously to this deli-
vered some courses of  lectures on botany, but natural history had
never before been taught.  Dr. Barton then was the first lecturer
on natural history  in Philadelphia, and, so far as I knoAV, the first
teacher of natural science in the cis-atlantic world.   This appoint-
ment was confirmed to him in the year 1791, on the  incorporation
of the college with the University of Pennsylvania.   Dr.  Barton,
at the period of his death, had held this professorship for the space
of six-and-twenty years.  I beg leave in relating the benefits to
natural science that resulted from the labours of the late industri-
ous Professor, to quote what I have published on this point in the
preface of my Prodromus of a Flora Phlladelphica. " During this
period Professor Barton delivered tAventy-five  courses of lectures
on botany, in which he inculcated a high sense of the real benefits
of the pursuit, in a medical point of vieAV, with an enthusiasm that
gave unequivocal  evidence of  his  attachment to  the interests of
the science and the honour of the university.  Such was the sue-

               * See Barton's Memoirs of Rittenhouse. 
16
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
 cess of these efforts, that during the period when the laws of the
 university rendered it obligatory upon the candidates for its ho-
 nours, to  print their inaugural theses, not one commencement was
 held without a number of dissertations being published, detailing
 experiments on the medicinal properties and effects of indigenous
 vegetables; most of them undertaken at the instance, and prosecu-
 ted under the auspices of the Professor.   The  authors  of these
 tracts  Avere scattered annually through different sections of the
 United States; many of them cherished the love  for botanick  pur-
 suits which they had imbibed here—they became  botanists—and
 thus have the exertions of the Professor been  seen and felt be-
 yond the precincts of the university.  In addition to these facts, it
 may be mentioned, that  many years ago Dr. Barton successfully
 applied himself to the production of an elementary work on the
 principles of botany, of  acknowledged excellence."  Of this I
 shall speak again  Avhen  I enumerate the publications Dr. Barton
 gave to the Avorld.
    About five years after Dr. Barton Avas appointed professor of
 natural history and botany, viz. at the close of the year 1795, Dr.
 Samuel Powell Griffiths, Avho is still  living, and  a respectable
 practitioner of medicine of the society of Friends in this city, inti-
 mated  his intention of resigning the professorship of materia  me-
 dica in the university, some time in the course of the winter.  Dr.
 Barton became a candidate for it. On this occasion his friend  and
 relative Dr. Rittenhouse, warmly interested himself in the doctor's
behalf.  In a letter which he addressed  to Dr. M'Kean, then chief
justice of Pennsylvania,  and an eminent member of  the board of
trustees of the university, he expressed himself in these terms, re-
 specting his nephew—terms of high eulogium from such a man as
Rittenhouse, and one vvho Avas alike scrupulously sincere, and in-
 capable of flattery:  " He certainly has ability sufficient," says Mr.
Rittenhouse, « to enable  him to be useful in any branch of medi-
 cine, and  ambition enough to induce him  to make  the greatest
exertion; besides, the materia  medica seems so  nearly connected
Avith botany and natural history, his favourite studies, that I flattei
myself he Avill be successful in his intended application,"  &c*

            *  Barton's Memoirs of Ili'tenhome, page 4.36.    ' > 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
IT
    To this chair of materia medica Dr. Barton was shortly after
appointed, being then but just turned of thirty years of age, and
having been professor of natural history and botany near six years.
And here, gentlemen, begins and rests the high professional reputa-
tion of Dr. Barton in medicine.   To the important lectures on this
subject, continued by him till the period when the loss of one of the
great pillars of this medical school afforded him an opportunity of a
translation to the vacant chair of the practice of physick, is entirely
attributable the present conspicuous elevation of the materia me-
dica professorship in this university.  Those Avho  have attended
the lectures of the late professor on this point of medical science,
can bear honourable and powerful  testimony in favour of their im-
portance, their  learning,  their usefulness; and it is no small cir-
cumstance in favour of the exertions of his successor in this  chair,
that we hear nothing of its reputation being in any degree deterio-
rated, although the present incumbent succeeded to it under cir-
cumstances of a very  discouraging, nay,  almost overwhelming
nature.
     In chronological  order  it  now  becomes proper  to digress
from the subject,  and mention that  in the  year 1797, Dr. Barton
married a daughter of Mr. Edward Pennington,  long since de-
teased,  but for many years an eminent and respectable citizen of
Philadelphia.   This lady, together  with the only children, a son
and a daughter, survive their husband and father.   A year after
this event, viz. on the 28th of January, 1798,  he was appointed to
 succeed Dr. Kuhn,  as one  of the physicians  of the Pennsylvania
 Hospital, which he continued to hold till his death.
      I have just hinted that Dr. Barton was  translated from the
 ehair of materia medica to the practical chair, relative to  which
it  is necessary to  make  a feAv  remarks.   From the preceding
 sketch of Dr. Barton's character, you will not he long in conclu-
ding that he was a man of high ambition.   The fact is so.  He
 possessed this passion in relation to matters of literary reputation
 and science, in a most exalted degree.  He had long viewed the
 splendour of  professor Rush's deserved elevation in the paths of
 medical science, with emotions that could not but stimulate him to
 more vigorous and continued exertions to equal his fame. Let me
 add too, Avhatever may be  thought generally to the contrary, he
 did that great man ample justice in his unreserved conversations
 respecting his literary and medical  career.
                              e 
 18           BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

     Can it  then be deemed unnatural, and will  you not expect
 to hear, that upon the death of professor Rush, Dr. Barton be-
 came  desirous of  filling his chair? He accordingly applied for it,
 and was appointed some few months after the decease of his learn-
 ed  predecessor.  This chair he held  in conjunction with that of
 natural history and botany, till the day of his death.  It was, how-
 ever,  his intention,  had he  lived,  to  resign  the latter,  perhaps
 about  this time.  He believed that the duties of a lecturer on na-
 tural history and botany required all the fire, the zeal, the bodily
 and laborious  exertions of a young man.  The energy and fer-
 vour he had  once shown in teaching those branches, he believed
 himself no longer capable of, neither did he Avish to substitute for
 the necessary perambulatory excursions with his botanical class
 (which had  been  always frequent)  the tame and  uninstructive
 lectures of an old, and, what is an  inevitable consequence, of a
 closet  teacher.—He well knew that demonstrative branches, like
 those of natural history, could neither be faithfully taught nor pro-
 perly  elucidated byxa man whose age naturally made him prone
 to the  more inactive pursuits of life.   He had been eminent as  a
 teacher of those sciences, because he was young and active—when
 he became older he was unwilling to detract from his well-earned
 reputation.   Besides these motives, he had determined to devote
 the remainder of his life to the more important chair to which he
 had succeeded.  In a conversation with me a short time after his
 accession to the practical chair, in which he stated his intention to
 keep that of  natural history and botany but a year or two longer,
 he declared  his firm  determination to direct the  concentrated
 powers of his mind to the fulfilment of the duties of his neAv pro-
 fessorship; and  in his dedication of his Archaeologiae Americans
 Telluris, 8cc, to Mr. John Mason Good,  an eminent surgeon of
 London, with Avhom he had  long been in habits of  correspon-
 dence, he thus  expresses himself: " It is my object  to collect
 materials for a history of these extinct animals and vegetables, the
 remains or impressions of Avhich are daily  discovered in the rapid
 progress of American population and improvement.  I can hard-
 ly flatter myself that my time, devoted as it must be to other, and
to me more important pursuits, will ever permit me to  prosecute
these archaeological inquiries very far;" and in the preface of the
same work he says, " I at one time, indeed, for some years toge- 
PROFESSOR BARTON.                19
ther, flattered myself that I should have found leisure to have de
voted a considerable portion of my life to the  study of organic
geology.  But  my recent removal, in consequence of the death
of Dr. Benjamin Rush,  to a more practical chair in the universi-
ty of Pennsylvania, and a determination to devote a principal por-
tion of the remainder  of my days to the cultivation of practical
medicine,  now teach me that it is too late to attempt any very ex-
tensive, and especially very systematic views of these among the
most difficult portions of natural history."
    These  declarations were an earnest  of that assiduous appli-
cation  to  the duties  of his new chair which  he certainly  paid
Avith, to him, a fatal degree of faithfulness and labour. His consti-
tution had been worn down by reiterated fits of irregular gout; and
a recent as well as severe attack of haemoptisis, had left him even
but a remnant of that trembling  and precarious health which for
years before had been his companion.  As no sickness could tame
the vivid  flashes of his mind, ever active, restless, and engaged,
his hours  of pain were continually aggravated by an attention to his
studies and  the duties of his chair.  Nature  was not equal to the
task imposed on  her.  And as she ever returns in sickness and
in disease the hours which are purloined by active minds* from her
customary and necessary rest, Dr. Barton soon perceived the per-
nicious consequences of his midnight and injudicious toils.   That
his efforts to support the reputation of the university curtailed his
existence I  firmly believe.  He had delivered but two courses of
lectures in the practical chair, when his increasing ill health for-
ced him to have recourse to the last resort to renovate his consti-
tution:  I mean a sea voyage.   He  accordingly embarked for
France in the month of April 1815,  and returned by the Avay of
England in  November  following, not benefitted by his too hasty
travel and return.
    In the month  of February, 1809, Dr. Barton was elected pre-
sident of this society, Dr. Rush having resigned that station some
short time before.  This circumstance Avas a subject of  gratifica-
tion to our deceased associate, as it evidenced the highest respect
for his professional standing that it was  in your power to bestow.
He felt the interest of  this society much at  heart; and  if he did
not give  demonstrations  of this by his frequent attendance, that
circumstance should be attributed to his precarious health, his 
20            BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
 numerous literary avocations and engagements, and his anxiety to
 finish some works, the completion of which he Avas very desirous
 to accomplish.  He has left you, gentlemen.   No longer will his
 exertions be made for your interests—for science—for the honour
 of his country.  Let your remembrance of  these be perennial, or
 I should rather say co-existent with  your lives—for he justly de-
 serves  to be held in long, tenacious, and respectful recollection.
     You have chosen,  as his successor, one of your late vice-
 presidents, who has given you frequent evidences of his attach-
 ment to your interests, and his zeal in promoting your prosperity.
 I feel much confidence in congratulating you on this choice, for
 I am persuaded it  has fallen on a friend to young  men, and one
 ever ready to lend  his aid to  the advancement of  their  interests
 and their pursuits.
     The primary disease of doctor Barton was unquestionably
 hereditary gout, of an irregular form, which assailed  him in very
 early life, having had, as I have before mentioned, some violent
 arthitick symptoms while a student at Edinburgh.  About three
 years ago he was attacked, during the night, with violent  haemop-
 tisis.  The discharge of blood was  copious, and attended with
 considerable pain in the breast.  This alarming  symptom, indi-
 cating the approach of a more serious disorder, appearing in a
 constitution feeble, enervated, and worn doAvn by study  and the
 gout, could not fail of producing anticipations of  a fatal conse-
 quence  in  the  mind of  a  physician.  Accordingly,  Dr. Barton
 dated his approaching death from this event.  His prediction was
 subsequently verified:  for certain it is he never  after  enjoyed
 even the scanty portion  of health  that  had before  been his lot.'
 He  had afterwards other  attacks  of spitting of blood, and for
 a long  time  purulent expectoration, cough, and  even  hectick
 flushes  occasionally; insomuch that  he was inclined himself to
believe, and his friends Avho heard his complaints, and witnessed
 their effects, believed—that a  pulmonary affection had at length
 supervened.  It was in  this state of health that he devoted his
labours  to the writing and preparation necessary to fit himself for
the new chair  he had been appointed  to; and, as I have before
hinted, these labours doubtless accelerated his death.  It was also
in this state of health, after more serious indisposition, during the 
PROFESSOR BARTON.               2.1
preceding winter, that he embarked last spring for Europe, with
how little real benefit, or even melioration of his malady, I have
already stated.  Previous  to  his departure he had many symp-
toms of hydrothorax, and this disease, in fact, proved the imme-
diate cause of his death.  After his arrival at New York he was
violently  affected Avith the distressing symptoms of this disease,
and  his life for three weeks Avas  despaired of.   He Avas spared
hoAvever to reach his home in this city, and after  a protraction of
this  indulgence of Heaven long enough to receive the visits of all
his relations  and friends,  near  to him, as well as  of most of his
medical brethren of this city, he expired suddenly in the bosom
of his family on  the  morning of the nineteenth day of December
last. He was in fact found dead in his bed. His wife, three  hours
before, had seen him unusually tranquil in his sleep. He seemed
to have a strong presentiment of his approaching dissolution on
the  evening  preceding his decease: for he requested, contrary to
his  usual  custom,  that his physician, professor Wistar,  should
not be admitted to him that night, and refused to have the friction
of his  legs continued, intimating by his manner his conviction that
neither medical advice, nor any remedies, could any longer be of
service to him.   He possessed his mental faculties, if not wholly
unimpaired, at least unusually active and correct, till the last
 moment that he spoke.   Three days before his death be wrote a
 memoir on a neAV genus of plants, named in honour of him, and
 requested me to make a drawing of one  of the species to accom-
 pany it.  This I did, and at the next meeting 6f the Philosophical
 Society,  I read this memoir for him.  It will of  course make its
 appearance  in the next printed volume of that societyJs transac-
tions,  and must always be viewed as  a memento  of his wonderful
 activity of mind, which  continued its operations for the elucidation
of science even to the last day or two of his life—and this too in
 the midst of disease, of pain, and of sorrow.
     The following letter from his physician,  Dr. Wistar, receiv-
ed this morning, will give you a more particular account of his
last illness:
« Dear Sir,
     « Your uncle was  affected with the ordinary symptoms of
hydrothorax.  I believe the disease commenced before he left this 
22            BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

country.   From his account it appeared to be mitigated during
his voyage to France,  and Avhile he resided in t]iat country, but
increased a short time  before  he left England.   There  was a
continued succession  of storms during the homeAvard voyage,
and he soon became so ill that he could not bear the recumbent
posture, and therefore did not lie doAvn during  almost the  whole
of the time he was on board the ship.   His sufferings Avere such
that he Avished for death.  He used the dried squill as a diuretic,
during the voyage, but it did not produce the desired effect.  Af-
ter he landed, a greater  diuresis was effected, and  he was consi-
derably relieved.  His death, although not  expected at the time
when it occurred, Avas similar to  what I have known in at least
half a dozen instances of hydrothorax.  One of my patients died
within five minutes  after her return from  riding.  Another died
as he was walking in a wood.  Dr. Kuhn, the elder, was found
dead in his chair.  The  late Mr. Milnor, of Trenton, I have been
informed, died at his desk.
                   " I am very respectfully yours,
                                               « C.  Wistar.
" Thursday, Feb. 15th, 1816."
    Such was the event that has bereaved the cause of American
science of its ablest, its truest, and its most  substantial advocate—
its most substantial, for  reasons I  shall now state.   Dr. Barton,
in the commencement of his career, was  not only indigent, but
oppressed.  He continued his exertions, however, undismayed by
poverty,  and unintimidated by enemies.  And to those who know
more intimately than it would be proper to state in this memoir,
the struggles he made in early life through the most discouraging,
nay appalling  influence  of want,  added to the  direful ravages of
disease,—his  subsequent  elevation  appears astonishing.   His
publick lectures, and  his various works, the rich  harvest of  his
meritorious exertions, soon relieved him from the pressure of in-
digence,  and the mental uneasiness, nay, sometimes distraction,
that supervenes upon it.   He whose mental exertions survive such
a fate, and who perseveres through it, is not, believe me, a com-
mon man!
     Among the first objects of his attention, when he obtained
the means of realizing it, was exploring the extensive wilds of our 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
23
country, to cull the rich and unknown treasures, particularly among
the vegetable productions, which he believed  were  there;  and  to
obtain information respecting every curious and useful subject of
natural history, that invited the attention of the naturalist.   Una-
ble,  from  his  professional engagements,  to  travel himself, and
search out these curious spoils, he employed the talents of others,
whom taste may have qualified,  while their circumstances inca-
pacitated them for such pursuits.  To these he afforded, liberally,
the requisite  funds, and necessary information.  The only remu-
neration Dr.  Barton received for these  unequivocal  demonstra-
tions of his love for science, were the acquisition to himself and
others, of useful and novel information,  and  the thanks and ac-
knoAvledgments of those who were the subjects of  his liberality.*

      * In proof of the above remarks, I may here  not unappropriately cite,
from  the late valuable publication of Mr. Pursh, on our American plants,  the
following passage, alike honourable to the memory of Dr. Barton, and to the good
 feelings of Mr.  Pursh:
      " Within this period [between 1802 and 1805] I had also formed a connex -
 ion with Dr. Benjamin, Smith Barton, professor of botany, &C. in the university
 of Pennsylvania, &c. whose industrious researches in all the different branches of
 natural history  are so well known to the literary world.  He  likewise, for some
 time previous, had been collecting specimens for an American flora. As I was now
 very anxious to explore the remote parts of the country, particularly the inter-
 esting ranges of the Allegany mountains, I was enabled by the kind assistance of
 this gentleman, to take a more extensive range for  my botanical excursions,
 which, during my stay at the Woodlands, had been confined  within a compara-
 tively small compass, the necessary attention to the duties of  that establishment
 not permitting  me to devote more time to them.   Accordingly, in the beginning
 of 1805,1 set out for the mountains and western territories of the southern states,
 beginning at Maryland  and extending to the Carolinas  (in which tract the inter-
 esting high mountains of Virginia and Carolina  took my particular  attention)
 and returned late in the autumn through the lower countries, along the sea-coast
 to Philadelphia."—Flora America SeptentrionXilis, by Frederick Pursh, London,
 pref. p. xx.
      I have made this full quotation,  that every one  may see for himself the
 extent of country over which-Mr. Pursh travelled at the expense of his patron
 and employer.
      Dr. Barton also extended his assistance to a young English botanist, a Mr.
 I^uttall, '" whose zeal  and services,"  to use the words of Dr. Barton, " have
 contributed essentially to extend our knowledge of the north-western and western
 flora of North America; and  to whom the work of Frederick Pursh is under ft- 
>H
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH  OF
     Thus gentlemen have  I  endeavoured to  point out some of
the  more prominent of the numerous exertions made  by  your
late president, in  the cause of American  science.   The  advan-
tages  that have resulted to its interests, by  such substantial coun-

fiuite obligations."—Tn justiee to Mr. Pursh I beg leave to state,  that for the as-
sistance so received, he gives Mr. Nuttall all due credit, although there appear*
to be some little disagreement between them, respecting the discovery  of a  new
genus of plants, called  Bartonia by their joint consent, in honour of,  to use Mr.
Pursh's words, " their  mutual friend, Dr. B. S. Barton."   Respecting Mr. Nut-
tall, I beg leave to quote from a manuscript paper now in my possession, written
by Dr.  Barton three or four days before his death, the following observations:
     " I became acquainted with this young Englishman in Philadelphia several
years ago; and observing in him an ardent  attachment to,  and  some  knowledge
of botany, I omitted no opportunity of fostering his zeal, and of endeavouring to
extend  his knowledge.   He had constant access to my house, and the benefit of
myr botanical books,
     " In 1810 I proposed to Mr. Nuttall the undertaking of an expedition, en-
tirely at my own expense, and under my  immediate direction,  to explore the
botany, &c. of the northern and the north-western parts of the United States, and
the adjoining British territories.   Accordingly, having provided him with a  spe-
cial passport from the president of the United States, Mr. Madison, and with
whatever else I deemed necessary, together with a considerable collection of ma-
nuscript queries and memoranda, Mr. Nuttall took his departure from Philadel-
phia in April, 1810.'
     " Hi3 route was  by Pittsburg to Detroit,  Michilimakiuak, Fox  River, the
Falls of St. Anthony, &c.  He deviated, however, from the route which had been
pointed out to him, having been prevailed upon to ascend the Missouri in com-
pany with some of his  own countrymen, some Americans, and others, whose ob-
jects were principally traffick.
     " He proceeded to the Mikanee-towns; from thence  to the  territory of the
Mandan Indians, m the boat of a Spanish gentleman; and in the  same vessel de-
scended the Missouri  to  St. Louis, near the confluence of this great river with
the Mississippi, in the  autumn of 1811.
     " Among a very considerable number of plants which he observed and col-
lected, in the course of his journey, there  were two  species of a genus which he
observes in his notes to have the " facies" or aspect of cactus, and which he  very
properly referred to the class and order oiicosandria monogynia—he named this
genus  Baktonh.  One of the species he calls Bartonia superba, and the other
Bartonia polypetala.   The former he  found in flower in August and September;
growing all th<* way from the river Platte to  the Andes, on broken hills and the
clefts of rocks—(Pursh adds, not 1 fear on  the best authority,  ' and on  volcauick
*il.")   He speaks  of  it as a plant (herba) about three feet high, whose < splen- 
                   PROFESSOR  BARTON.           i    25

tenance, fully appear in the  valuable work of  Mr. Pursh, which
contains the united discoveries of this  gentleman and Mr. Nut*
tall.
     With a view still farther to elucidate this point, and to give
you, in the fairest way possible, such an history of  his improve-
ments in  science, as  your resolution appointing me to  perform
this duty,  requires—I  shall beg  your patience for  a short time,
Avhile  I briefly enumerate his various Avorks, their titles,  and their
extent, by affixing the  number of pages  in  each.   Such a cata-
logue  will not only enable each of you to make your own  deduc-
tion on the subject, but it may perhaps, be a mean of giving you
some  useful  information respecting the  number, the nacuve and
extent of Dr. Barton's Avorks—some of which a/e, in this country,
as yet  unknown.  They are, so far as  I  can collect them as fol-
low:
 1.  De Hyoscyamo nigro—the Harveyan prize dissertation,before
   mentioned, 1787.   (I am  doubtful if this is printed.)
2.  On some parts of  natural  history, Sec. &c. his first Avork, be-
   fore mentioned, published in London in  1787—octavo, about
   80 pages with an engraving.
3.  A  memoir concerning the fascinating faculty Avhich has been
   ascribed to the rattlesnake and other North American  serpents;
   first edition, octavo, 36 pages—1796.
4. Collections for an essay tOAvards a materia medica of the Unit-
   ed States.   Read before the Philadelphia Medical Society on
   the  twenty-first day of February  1798—49 pages,  octavo.

did flower expands only in the evening, suddenly opening after remaining closed
during  the day, and diffusing a most agreeable odour.   It may justly rank, (he
adds) with the most splendid plants of either America, and very probably inha-
bits Mexico, if not South America.
    " The other species, Bartonia polypetala, he describes as a-perennial, grow-
ing on gravelly hills, near the Grand Detour, and flowering in August.
    " In the latter end of the year 1811, Mr. Nuttall returned to England by the
way of  New Orleans.  Previously to his departure, he transmitted to me a num-
ber of the dried specimens  and seeds which he had  collected.  Among these
there were specimens of both species of Bartonia .together with a good collection
of seeds.  At the same time, he  sent me a manuscript book,  in which he has
given pretty full descriptions of the two plants by the names  which I have al-
p-eadv mentioned: viz. Bartonia superba and Bartonia polypetala."
                                P 
35            BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

5. Fragments of the natural history of Pennsylvania; folio, 42 pages
  — 1799.
6.  New views of the origin of the tribes and nations of America—
  octavo, 165  pages—1798.
7.  Supplement to a  memoir concerning the  fascinating  faculty
  Avhich has  been  ascribed to  the  rattlesnake and other  North
  American serpents, in a letter to professor Zimmerman  of
  Brunswick, in Germany—octavo,  3'8 pages, 1800.
3.  Memoir concerning the  disease of Goitre,  as it prevails in dif-
  ferent parts of North America; octavo, 94 pages, 1800.
9.  Collections, Sec. part first, second  edition—64 pages, octavo—
   1801.
50. Elements of botany,  or, outlines of the natural history of ve-
  getables, illustrated by 30 plates, first edition, two volumes oc-
  tavo, together 508 pages—1803.
IT. Collections, Sec. part second first edition,.53 pages octavo—
   1804.
12. Facts, observations, and conjectures relative to the generation
  of the opossum of North America, in a letter to  mons. Roume
  of Paris 8vo. 14 pages, 1809.
13. A  discourse on  some of the principal desiderata in natural
  history, and on the best means of promoting the study of this
  science in the United States; read before the Philadelphia Lin-
  nean Society, on the  10th of June 1807—octavo, 90 pages—
   1807.
14. Some account of the  Siren Lacertina, and other species of the
  same genus of amphibious  animals: in a letter  to Mr. John
  Gottlob Schneider of  Saxony, with an outline engraving of the
  animal, from a finished drawing made by myself.   Octavo,  34
  pages, 1808.
15. Collections, Sec.  3d edition, octavo, 120 pages;   1810.
16. A  memoir concerning an  animal of the class of reptilia,  or
  amphibia, which  is known in the United States by the names of
  alligator and. hell-bender, with an  engraving; octavo, 26 pages
  — 1812.
17. Flora Virginica: sive plantarum, praecipue indigenarum, Vir-
  ginian Historia. L-ichoata.  Icor.ijus illustrata.*   Pars prima, oc-
  tavo, 74 pages. Printed in 1812,  and going  only as far as the
                     *  There are no plates in it 
i
                  PROFESSOR BARTON.                27

   fourth class of the Linnaean arrangement.* This Avork has never
   yet been published in this country, though I have some reason for
   believing Dr. JBarton took it Avith him in his last voyage to Europe.
   It is nothing more than an enlarged and new modified edition of
   the Flora Virginica of Clayton and Gronovius, with the addi-
   tion of the specifick names under which the plants enumerated
   are described by  Micivaix, WilldcuoAV,  Persoon, Sec.
18. Elements of Botany, or outlines of the natural history of vege-
   tables, illustrated Avith  forty plates; the  second  edition,  first
   volume.  310 pages, with an index of forty pages—1812.
19. Additional facts, observations, and conjectures, relative to the
   generation of the opossum of North America, in a letter to pro-
   fessor J. A. H. Reimarus of Hamburg; octavo, 24 pages—1813.
20. Aichseologije Americans Telluris Collectanea et Specimina;
   or collections, Avith specimens, for a series of memoirs on cer-
   tain extinct animals  and vegetables of North America; toge-
   ther with facts and conjectures relative  to the ancient condition
   of the lands and  Avaters  of the continent; illustrated by engra-
   vings, f  Part  first; octavo, 64  pages—1814.
21. Elements of Botany, second volume, in 1814.
22. Memoir concerning the fascinating faculty which has been as-
   cribed to various species of serpents;  a  new edition, greatly en-
   larged and embellished by a plate; quarto, 7.6 pages—1814.
23. An edition of Cullen's Materia Medica, Avith notes.
24 Ditto first vol. Cullen's First  Lines,
25. Medical and Physical Journal.
     Besides these separate works, the following is a list of his paf
pers and memoirs, read to the American Philosophical Society and
printed in the different volumes of the transactions of that society.
3. An account of the most effectual means of preventing the <le
   Ieterious consequences of the  bite  of the crotalus horridus, or
   rattle-snake.   Philo.  Trans, vol. 3d, pages 14, quarto.
    * It is my intention to continue this work, the Flora of Gronovius being so
valuable,  that when completed  on the  plan begun by Dr. Barton, it cannot
fail to be  useful as a book of  reference.  For this purpose I earnestly solicit the
gentleman of the medical class and other persons from Virginia who may  pur-
sue the study of botany, to aid me by their correspondence, and the transmis-
sion of dried specimens or seeds of indigenous plants, with their localities and tiir-t
of flowering.                   t The work has no plate* 
38
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH Ol'
2. An inquiry into the question whether the apis mcllifica, or true
  honey-bee, is a native of America.  Ditto, 20 pages quarto.
3. A botanical description of the podophyllum diphyllum of Lin-
  naeus, in a letter to Charles Peter Thunberg, M. D. Knight of
  the Order of Wasa, Professor of Medicine and  Botany in  the
  University of Upsal, &c. Ditto, 14 pages quarto, accompanied
  with a plate of the plant to which Dr. Barton gave  the name of
  Jeffersonia, in honour of Thomas Jefferson.
4. An account of the fascinating faculty Avhich has been ascribed
  to the rattle-snake-and other  North American serpents.  Vol.
  4th of the Philo. Trans. 40 pages quarto.  (This paper after-
  wards appeared  in the form of a separate work, as has been
  mentioned, and Avent through two editions.)
5. Some account of an American species of dipus or jerboa. Dit-
  to, with an engraving of the animal.  11 pages quarto.
6. Observations  and conjectures concerning certain articles Avhich
  were taken out of an ancient tumulus or grave, at Cincinnati, in
  the county of Hamilton, and territory of the United States, north-
  west of the Ohio; in a letter to Dr. Priestley.  Ditto, 36 pages
  quarto.
7. Hints relative to the stimulant effects of camphor upon vegeta-
  bles. Ditto, 3 pages quarto.
8. Some account of the  poisonous and  injurious honey of North
   America.   Vol. 5, Phil. Trans. 16 pages quarto.
9. Memorandum concerning a new vegetable muscipula.  Vol. 6.
   Phil. Trans. 3 pages quarto.
 10. Some account of a new  species of North American lizard.—
   Ditto, 5 pages^quarto, with an engraving of the animal.
 11. Supplement to the account of the dipus Americana, in the 4th
   vol. of the transactions of the Am. Ph. Society.  Ditto, 2 pages
   quarto.
 12.  Hints on the etymology of  certain English Avords, and on their
   affinity to Avords  in the languages of different European, Asiatic
   and American (Indian) nations, in a letter to Dr. Thomas Bed-
   does.  Ditto, 13 pages.
      Besides these there are other papers which will appear in the
 next volume of the society's transactions, and which have  beevt
 read some years: viz. 
                  PROFESSOR BARTON.                2?

»3. At a special meeting of the  Philosophical  Society, Feb.  24,
  1804, Dr. Barton  was chosen to deliver an eulogium upon Dr.
  Priestley.   This was a very learned and extensive memoir—it
  is not yet published, though I suspect it remains among his ma-
  nuscripts in a state for publication.
14. In February 1800, he read to the Am. Phil. Society an exten-
  sive memoir, entitled, " A geographical view of the trees and
  shrubs of North America"—not yet published.
15. And a memoir (which gained the Magellanic premium) con-
  cerning a considerable number of pernicious insects of the United
  States, Avhich will appear in the next volume of the society's
  transactions.   (These  two  last papers  are  mentioned by Dr.
  Barton in his discourse on the  desiderata in natural history, Sec.)
  and it is from that circumstance that I here enumerate them.
     Professor Zimmerman translated into German, the memoir
(Transactions Phil. Society) on the bite of the rattle-snake.  Also
the memoir on the fascinating faculty of the rattle-snake, Sec. to
which last he added notes, and an introduction  in the German lan-
guage, of 22  pages duodecimo.
     The  Elements of Botany have been republished in London,
and translated into the Russian language at St. Petersburgh.
     These, gentlemen, are all the works which have been printed
by Dr. Barton.  Some of them have  never  yet been  published,
and many of  them Avere designed entirely for the  inspection and
perusal of his numerous European correspondents. As it may be
 supposed, these works obtained for him great notoriety in Europe
 Avherc he is honoured and respected.*   Besides them Dr. Barton

    • It may not be amiss to enumerate the foreign academick honours which
 Dr. Barton received at different periods of his life.  I  have it not in my power,
 however, to do  this in chronological order, since I have not at this time access
to any materials that will enable me to do so.  He was a  member of the Impe-
rial Society of Naturalists, at Moscow in Russia; one of the foreign members of
 the Linnxan Society of London; correspondent member of the Society of Anti-
 quaries of Scotland; member of the Danish Royal Society of Sciences at Copen-
 hagen; and also member of the Royal Danish Medical Society at Copenhagen.
 Of this last named academy he was chosen a member several years ago, at the
 same  time with the late Professor Rush.  The diploma from this society, how-
 r'.cr,  Dr. Barton received only a  «ck or two before his death,, by Mr. Peder- 
   30             BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

   republished the letter of John Henry Burkhard, to Leibnitz, Avrit
   ten in the Latin language. He had Avritten a Latin preface to this
   republication, which I have perused in manuscript and  also in  a
   proof-sheet.  At the time I saw them, it was the intention of Dr.
   Barton to circulate it with the preface, among the  botanical stu-
   dents.   By inspection of the work which has now fallen into my
   hands, I find the preface is omitted, and the letter appears in its
   original form Avithout comment.   For the cause of this  omission,
   with Avhich I  confess myself somewhat astonished, it is not difficult
   forme to account.  On some future and more appropriate occasion,
   I shall endeavour to explain the history of this remarkable attempt
   to wrest from Linnaeus, his long accredited claim to originality in
   the principles of his sexual system.
        The ardent thirst for literary fame, which strongly marked
.  the character of Professor Barton thrbugh life,  rendered him  a
   most indefatigable student from his earliest youth.  He read much,
   wrote a great deal, and contemplated nature Avith unceasing atten-
   tion.   His numerous publications  afford, of themselves,  sufficient
   proofs of an uncommon degree of industry: but besides  these, he
   was long  engaged in collecting materials for other works, and
   preparing some for the press;  all of which, it is greatly to be re-
   gretted, will noAV probably be lost to the world.
        Amidst his professional avocations, Avhich were numerous—
   the duties of  his  station, as a medical teacher, which were ardu-

   son, minister from the king of Denmark to the United States;  a gentleman to
   whom this country is indebted not only for an extensive portion of good will and
   high estimation, but for the meritorious exertions he  has, ever since he came
   among us, been in  the habit of making, to circulate our scientifick works among
   the literati of his own  country—exertions which his diplomatick situation and
   praiseworthy  intentions, afford him great facilities of performing in a manner
   highly creditable to our reputation for national talents and learning.
       When we compare the conduct of this intelligent  Dane in relation  to  the
   points just hinted at, with the disgustful vanity of  their own, and unqualified ana-
   themas of the genius of our country, so continually exhibited  by the herd of
   poverty-stricken and needy foreigners which swarms around  us—who abuse
   while they receive their bread from us—and poison our reputation while they
   would starve but for .our charity—we cannot fail to draw conclusions highly in
   his favour,  1 can oXend none by these remarks, but those whose p.onscienc.-s
   whisper they are the subjects of them: qui fecit,  ille capit. 
                    PROFESSOR BARTON.                  31

ous—and a considerable portion of his time that was occupied  in
keeping up an  epistolary  correspondence with distinguished men
of science,* as well in the  old world as in his own country—amidst
all these occupations, it is a matter of surprise, that he could have
found a sufficiency of leisure for his multitudinous pursuits in lite-
rature and science: and the more especially  Avhen it is taken into
vieAV, that he was frequently impeded in these  pursuits by the pri-
A'ation of health.
      Natural history and botany were his favourite studies,! and in

    * Among the  most distinguished of these are the following named:
The count de la Cepede,  peer of France, &c. to whom Dr. Barton dedicated the
  quarto edition of his memoir on the fascinating faculty of the rattle-snake.
Professor E. A. W. Zimmerman, of Brunswick, in Germany.
Professor J. A. H. Reimarus, of Hamburgh.
Professor John Frederick Blumenbach, of Gottingen,  to whom he dedicated his
  memoir on the disease of Goitre.
Mr. Thomas Pennant, the celebrated  author of Arctic Zoology.
John  Mason Good, Esq. F. R.  S. &,c.  surgeon, of London, (well known by hfs
   poetical version  of the Songs of Solomon)—to whom he dedicated his Archx-
   ologiae Americana Telluris,  &c.
Dr. James Edward Smith, the learned president of the Linnxan Society of Lon-
  don, to whom he dedicated the  second edition of the  first part of his Collec-
  tions,  &c.
Professor Autenrieth, of Tubingen.
Mr. Tilesius, an eminent naturalist of St. Petersburgh, Russia.
Monsieur Roume, of Paris, an intelligent French naturalist.
Mr. John Gottlob  Schneider, of Saxony, a late celebrated writer on amphibious
  animals.
Dr. Patterson, of  Londonderry, in Ireland.
Monsieur G. Cuvier, of Paris,  the illustrious author of many learned works on
  organick geology, &c.
Sir Joseph Banks, Bart, the well known liberal and munificent patron of litera-
  ture and science.
Dr. John Walker, professor of natural history in the University of Edinburgh.
Baron Humboldt.
Professor Pallas, of Russia.
Professor Sparrman, Sweden.
Professor Thunberg, Sweden.
Professor Burmann, of Holland.
     ■J- In the preface to  his Elements of Botany he thus speaks of his attach-
ment  to these sciences: " The  different branches of natural history, particularly 
32
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF
 his investigation of these branches of science, he made a conspicu-
 ous figure.   He employed much research, respecting  the origin
 of the tribes and nations of America, on Avhich subject he has, I am
 persuaded, left many valuable manuscript materials. He was fond
 of investigating Avhat may be termed the antiquities of  this coun-
 try; and particularly interested in zoological inquiries.
     He was a skeptick in matters of science, depending  on human
 testimony—in fact,  his incredulity was astonishing.  He upheld
 the value of skepticism in his lectures—and in one of his publica-
 tions he thus expresses himself: " Credulity is the most injurious
 feature in the character of the naturalist, as well as of the histori-
 an.  Its influence, in one individual, is often felt  and propagated
 through many ages.  Unfortunately, too, it  has been the vice of
 naturalists, or those who  have touched on questions relative to na-
 tural history."
     The genius of  Dr. Barton Avas of  the highest grade: it Avas
 rapid,  comprehensive, and brilliant in the extreme.  He was well
 aAvare of the inefficacy and fruitlessness however, of its unaided
 efforts—he did not rely therefore on the native powers of his mind
 alone,  great as they  were, but applied himself closely to the avo-
 cations of the closet.   He was not only a  man of  extraordinary
 industry, but of quick  perception, and various information.  His
 genius  prompted him to conceive with celerity all  the varied and
 diverse relations of those subjects, to which the bent of his mind
 more particularly attached him—he Avas therefore, a rapid  writer.

 zoology and botany, have been my favourite studies from a very early period of
 my life.  The happiest hours of near sixteen years of cares, of difficulties, or of
sickness, have been devoted to the cultivation of these interesting sciences.  Du-
ring this long period, 1 have never ceased  to look forward, as I still  look for-
ward, with an ardent satisfaction, to the time, when natural history (including
botany^, shall  be taught as an indispensable branch of science, in our university.
 That period, however, has not yet arrived.  1 have,  however, the satisfaction of
observing, that these sciences are making some, nay, even great, advances among
ns; and I still flatter myself, that the directors of our principal American univer-
 sities, or other  seminaries of  learning, but, in particular,  the trustees of the
 University of Pennsylvania, (in which all the branches of medicine are taught
 much more extensively than in any other part of the United States)  will see the
propriety and even necessity, of giving  more substantial encouragement for the
 extension of natnrid history among us." 
PROFESSOR BARTON.
He possessed a,memory remarkably, nay extraordinarily tena-
cious and faithful, particularly AAith respect to facts and chronolo-
gical events.   He  never forgot Avhat he once determined to re-
member,  hence he  read with  great advantage;  and though his
reading was  ahvays  desultory, irregular, and to all  appearance
hasty—be was able  to make the most profitable use of it.   He
possessed a good judgment, much imagination, and a taste for the
fine arts.   He Avas indeed a man of uncommon genius and excel-
lent professional talents.
     As a medical teacher, he Avas eloquent, instructive, and Avhen
occasion called for it, quite pathetick. His voice Avas good, though
attenuated, penetrating, and sometimes rather sharp—his enuncia-
tion clear and distinct—his pronunciation  constrained,  and his
emphasis, OAving to his remarkable kind of punctuation, and a de-
sire to-be perspicuously  understood, was studied, forced, and often
inappropriate.  In his lectures,  his  diction was cacophonus and"
unpleasant.
     As a writer, he is ingenious, rich in  facts,  profound in re-
search, and ahvays abounding in useful information.   He Avanted,
however, in a great degree, a talent for generalizing.  Hence his
various works are characterized by an egregious want of method,
or perspicuous  arrangement.  His style, it must be confessed,  is
always diffuse, inelegant, and frequently tautological.  As he never
corrected what he once wrote, or at least but rarely, these defects
in his composition were the natural consequences of his vehemence
in writing.  His punctuation is truly remarkable, and, for a man
of his discernment and extensive reading,  singularly incorrect.
     As a physician, he discovered a mind quick in discriminating-
diseases,  skilful  in the application of  appropriate  remedies,
though he certainly was a very cautious if  not timid  practitioner.
No man read more  extensively on the subject of diseases—in fact
he  was  deeply versed in pathological knowledge,  derived from
books.  As however his medical practice was never very exten-
sive, his practical observations delivered in his lectures were stri-
kingly marked with the  evidences of overweening caution. Hence
he recommended  to his pupils, and always  employed himself, unu-
sually small doses of medicine.   He was however in the main, an
observing and intelligent practitioner, and was remarkably assidu-
eus in his attentions, and soothing in his behaviour to his patients,
                               E 
34
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, &c.
      In figure  he Avas tall, and exceedingly well formed; in mid-
 dle life he might be considered as having been handsome.   His
 physiognomy was strongly expressive of intelligence, and his eye
 was remarkably fine and penetrating.*
      In temperament he was  irritable and  even  cholerick.   His
 spirits were irregular, his manners consequently variable, impetu-
 ous, vehement.   These repeated  vacillations between equanimity
 and depression, Avere generally owirig to the sudden and repeated
 attacks of his continual earthly companion—irregular gout.
      In familiar conversation he Avas often elegant, remarkably fa-
 cetious, but never v/itty.
     As a parent, he Avas kind, tender and indulgent, to a fault.
     He possessed some high virtues;  among the most elevated of
 them, was his unaffected love of country.  Indeed, his patriotick
 feelings Avere not only strong,  but frequently expressed with un-
 reserved warmth.  He ahvays spoke with extreme impatience  of
 the arrogance of pretending foreigners of the literary grade, too
 many of whom  resort  to our country, being nothing in their own,
 and perpetually insult us by their vain and insufferable denuncia-
 tions of our claims to national genius, talents and learning.
     Such,  gentlemen,  was  the late Professor Barton! May not
 such a man  be truly called great?   Before he had completed the
fiftieth year of his age, the Avorld  was deprived  of his talents—his
country, more particularly, of his ijsefulness, and his family of a
kind and affectionate protector.   While the exit of so ardent a
 lover of the pursuits of science has given serious occasion to  its
remaining votaries to deplore his  loss, may Ave not hope that they
will emulate his talents and his worth!

     * The best likeness extant of Dr. Barton, is the fine profile, done in mez-
zotinto, by St. Memim (the engraving prefixed to this sketch is copied from it)
when the doctor was about thirty-seven years of age.  The life-size crayon pro.
file, from which the miniature mezzotinto was taken, is also a very good likeness:
it is the property of the Pennsylvania Hospital, where it now is.  His portrait of
Icit-kat^size, was painted while in England, by his ingenious  friend  and early
protege, Mr. Jennings; this was, at the time it was taken, a good likeness.  And
another, in a more finished  style of painting, though  certainly not a happy re-
semblance, was painted by Mr. Rembrant Peale, within the last two years of the
doctor's life,  Mr. Trott painted a fine miniature picture of him, which is in all
respects, except the expression of the mouth, a most excellent likeness.
     The execrable carricatures now exposed for sale in the print-shops and
book-stores, have only the most distant traces pf resemblance. 
 
 
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