John Perkins (344)

John Perkins (1698–1781) was a physician, essayist, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1774. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Perkins opened a medical practice in Boston. A prolific essayist, he published works on topics such as weather phenomena and comets. Perkins became well known among his contemporaries and regularly corresponded with Benjamin Franklin on topics as diverse as smallpox, colds, tornadoes, and coal formation. He submitted a paper on hurricanes, tornadoes, and waterspouts to the American Philosophical Society, which put him on the Society’s map and ultimately made him a member. While Benjamin Franklin was in Paris, he received an account from Perkins on epidemic catarrhal fevers and recommended it to the Société de la Médecine. The paper then appeared in the Histoire de la Société de la Médecine, and subsequently earned Perkins election to the Société. During the siege of Boston, he moved back to Lynn, the town of his birth, and died there not long after.