American Medical Biographies/Green, Thomas Fitzgerald
Green, Thomas Fitzgerald (1804–1879)
Thomas F. Green, pioneer alienist of the South, was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, December 25, 1804; he died in Midway, Georgia, February 13, 1879, of apoplexy, while superintendent of the Georgia Lunatic Asylum. His parents were of the best class of Irish people. His father, a warm-hearted, highly-educated, enthusiastic young Irish patriot, joining in the ill-fated rebellion of 1798, was forced to flee the country; his wife, who was a Fitzgerald of noble blood, came with him to America. He had no fortune save his talents; no friends save those whom he won by his virtues.
He came to Beaufort, South Carolina, as a teacher. Here his eldest son, Thomas Fitzgerald, was born. He removed to Savannah, Georgia, later, where he taught in a high school, and then to Athens, where he was elected a professor in Georgia University. He finally removed to Milledgeville, then the capital of Georgia, and here Thomas F. Green was educated. The latter was past his majority when he studied medicine and began to practise in Milledgeville, and was prospering as a physician when the current of his life was changed.
A northern philanthropist interested in the welfare of the insane visited Milledgeville to suggest and advocate the establishment of an asylum for them. He called a meeting of a few gentlemen of broad views and generous hearts, and laid his plans before them. Green became much interested in the project and gave it hearty support. He was connected with the successful effort to secure an appropriation from the Legislature for its establishment.
In 1846 he succeeded Dr. Cooper as superintendent of the asylum and continued in office for 33 years. The hospital was small when he assumed charge of it, but it grew to be one of the largest in the Southern States before his death. In person he was short, stout, of broad and humane countenance; in his youth, handsome; and in his old age, venerable. He was full of life, cheerful, merry, courteous, considerate. He was a sincere Christian, in his home life, a model; one of the most benevolent and unselfish of men. He was devoted to the institution, and his success in the management of it was great. He was a delightful companion, a true and sympathizing friend, a man to be loved and honored.