American Medical Biographies/Warren, Joseph
Warren, Joseph (1741–1775)
Joseph Warren, son of Joseph Warren, farmer, and Mary Stevens, was born at Roxbury, June 11, 1741, and after graduating at Harvard, in 1759, was appointed master of the Roxbury grammar school. He studied medicine under Dr. James Lloyd (q.v.), and at the age of twenty-three established himself permanently as a physician in Boston. By his successful treatment of smallpox patients, during the epidemic that scourged the New England cities at that period, he acquired a high reputation among the faculty. One of his most illustrious patients was John Adams, afterwards president of the United States, who was so favorably impressed with the young doctor that he retained him as his family physician.
In 1764 he married Elizabeth Hooton, a young lady who inherited an ample fortune.
His zeal in the cause of patriotism rendered him indifferent to bright prospects of professional advancement, and he soon gave himself, heart and soul, to American freedom. At every town meeting held in Boston, from the arrival of the British troops in October, 1768, to their removal in March, 1770, his voice was heard and his influence felt. In March, 1772, he delivered the anniversary oration upon the "Massacre," and again, March 5, 1775, he gave the oration in the old South Church in spite of threats from the British that his life was in danger. At the meeting of the Provincial Congress at Watertown, May 31, 1775, Dr. Warren was unanimously chosen its president and on June 14 he was chosen second major-general of the Massachusetts forces. On the morning of June 17, 1775, he met the committee of Safety at Gen. Ward's headquarters on Cambridge Common. Hearing the British had landed at Charlestown he mounted his horse and rode over to Bunker Hill He asked for the place of greatest need and danger, and, near the end of the battle when the Americans were retreating and he was trying to rally the militia he was struck by a ball in the head and instantly killed. A monument was erected by his brother masons twenty years after, but the Bunker Hill Monument now stands in its place.