American Medical Biographies/Potter, Frank Hamilton
Potter, Frank Hamilton (1860–1891)
Frank Hamilton Potter was the only son and eldest child of Dr. William Warren Potter (q. v.), and was born in Cowlesville, Wyoming County, New York, January 8, 1860. Descended from a long line of American physicians, he early directed his attention to medicine and graduated at the Buffalo Medical College in the class of 1882. Prior to his graduation, he served in the Rochester City Hospital for two years. After receiving his degree he settled in Buffalo, and, on the organization of the Medical Department of Niagara University in 1883, was appointed clinical assistant in surgery. He subsequently held the lectureship of descriptive anatomy, in 1884; demonstrator in surgery, and lecturer on botany in 1884–85; lecturer on materia medica from 1885 to 1888, and lecturer on laryngology from 1888 to May, 1891. In recognition of his active efforts and conspicuous ability, the Niagara University conferred upon him, in 1885, the ad eundem degree of M. D. At the close of the session of 1891, he severed his connection with the school with which from its organization he had labored successfully, and accepted the position of clinical professor of laryngology in the Buffalo University Medical College.
At one time he was a member of the surgical staff of the Sisters of Charity and Emergency Hospitals. He was a member of the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Association; and the Medical Society of the State of New* York.
He was a frequent contributor to the medical and literary societies of which he was member, and had clearness of expression as well as beauty of style and diction.
Among the instruments he devised may be mentioned nasal scissors, mechanical nasal saw, self-retaining nasal speculum.
In 1887, after returning from Europe, whither he went for study and travel, he married Eva, daughter of Lars G. Sellstedt. the famous artist, and had two sons. The widow and three children survived him.