American Medical Biographies/Ramsay, David
Ramsay, David (1749–1815).
David Ramsay, physician and historian, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1749. He was the youngest son of James Ramsay, a farmer, who in early life had emigrated from Ireland and settled in Pennsylvania. As a child Dr. Ramsay is said to have exhibited extraordinary precocity. At the early age of six he was able to read the bible with ease, foreshadowing, in his predilection for historical books, his future life work, and before he was twelve years old "he had read, more than once, all the classics usually studied at grammar schools, and was, in every respect, qualified for admission into college." It was thought inadvisable, however, that he should begin his collegiate work at such a tender age, and he, therefore, accepted a position as tutor in the Academy at Carlisle. This position he occupied for more than a year, giving instruction to boys much older than himself, when he entered the sophomore class at Princeton College, where he graduated in 1765 at the early age of sixteen.
After spending two years as a private tutor in Maryland he began the study of medicine at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Bond (q. v.) of Philadelphia, graduating as Bachelor of Physic in 1772. It was while a student in Philadelphia that he learned to admire Dr. Benjamin Rush (q. v.), who was then professor of chemistry; and between them a warm and lasting friendship developed.
After practising medicine for about a year in Maryland he removed to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1773. In a letter which he carried from Dr. Rush the latter writes that "his abilities are not only good, but great; his talents and knowledge universal; I never saw so much strength of memory and imagination, united to so fine a judgment. His manners are polished and agreeable—his conversation lively, and his behavior, to all men, always without offense."
Upon settling in Charleston, Dr. Ramsay rapidly became one of the leaders in his profession. He did not, however, confine his activities to medicine, but took a prominent part in public affairs as well, and in the struggle for independence was a most ardent patriot, having been one of the earliest advocates of the American cause. In 1778 he gave the first Fourth of July oration delivered in the United States, and in the gloomy state of affairs at that time when men were wavering in doubt, Dr. Ramsay's strong patriotism and boldness of speech rendered a distinct service.
For a short period he served with the army, as surgeon, in which capacity he was present with the Charleston Ancient Battalion of Artillery at the siege of Savannah. His chief service, however, was in the political field, and throughout the Revolution he was a member of the South Carolina Legislature. For two years he was one of the Privy Council, and in 1780, on the capture of Charleston, was banished to St. Augustine in company with Dr. Peter Fayssoux (q. v.), Dr. John Budd and a number of other citizens of Charleston. Here he remained eleven months when he was returned in exchange. As a member of the Legislature Dr. Ramsay opposed the confiscation of the estates of those who had remained loyal to Great Britain.
In 1782 he was elected a member of the Continental Congress, serving until the end of the war. In 1785 he was elected to represent his district in Congress; and, in the absence of Mr. Hancock, he was chosen president pro tempore of that body, a position he filled for a year.
In 1786 he returned to Charleston and resumed the practice of medicine in partnership with Dr. John Budd. In his practice he was a disciple of his friend and former teacher, Dr. Benjamin Rush, whom he regarded as one of the foremost physicians of all time. He is said to have been especially efficient in the management of yellow fever.
While very successful as a physician it was as an author that Dr. Ramsay became most distinguished, his reputation extending beyond the borders of his own country. Endowed with a remarkable memory his mind was a storehouse of universal knowledge, and futhermore, he was possessed of an inexhaustable energy and an almost boundless capacity for work. It was his habit to sleep only four hours, rising before day and meditating with a book in his hand until it was light enough to read. Recreation was confined to the evenings, as he never read by candlelight. He was a fluent and ready speaker, carrying conviction by the logic of his arguments and by the sincerity of his manner rather than by brilliant oratory. As an historian he seems to have been very impartial in his judgments in spite of having taken so active a part in the events which he related. "I shall decline the fruitless attempt," he writes, "of aiming to please either (Americans or Europeans) and instead thereof, to follow the attractions of truth whithersoever she may lead."
He died on May 8, 1815, from the effects of pistol wounds received at the hands of a man whom he had shortly before pronounced insane.
The following are his principal publications: "The History of the Revolution in South Carolina," two volumes, 1785 (this work was submitted to General Greene before publication); "The History of the American Revolution," two volumes, 1790; "Life of Washingtion," 1801; "History of South Carolina from its first Settlement in 1670 to the Year 1808"; "A Sketch of the Soil, Climate, Weather and Diseases of South Carolina," 1768; "Memoirs of Martha L. Ramsay," 1811; "An Oration on the Acquisition of Louisiana," 1804; "A Review of the Improvements, Progress, and State of Medicine in the 18th Century, Delivered January 1, 1801," Medical Register for 1802; "A Dissertation on the Means of Preserving Health in Charleston"; "A Biographical Chart On a New Plan to Facilitate the Study of History"; "An Eulogium on Dr. Rush"; "A Brief History of the Independent or Congregational Church in Charleston"; "A History of the United States," published posthumously; "Universal History Americanized; or an Historical View of the World from the Earliest Records to the Nineteenth Century with Particular Reference to the State of Society, Literature, Religion and Form of Government in the. United States of America." Before his death he had begun collecting materials for a life of General Andrew Jackson.
His first wife was Miss Sabina Ellis, who died eight or nine months after their marriage. His second wife was a daughter of Dr. John Witherspoon, President of Princeton College, by whom he had one son, Dr. John Witherspoon Ramsay. His third wife was the daughter of Henry Laurens, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. One of his sons, Dr. James Ramsay, was one of the founders of the Medical College of South Carolina.