John Carson (445)

John Carson (12 November 1752–26 October 1794) was a physician, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1785. Born in Philadelphia, Carson began his studies at the old Academy, and from there gained admittance to the College of Philadelphia, receiving his baccalaureate degree in 1771. He then pursued a medical degree at the University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1776. Upon his return to Philadelphia, he established a large private practice, helped organize and served as attending physician at the Philadelphia Dispensary. Resigning from the dispensary in 1787 to attend to his thriving private practice, Carson soon found more diversions: he became Surgeon of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (1787-1788), served on the Hibernian Society of Philadelphia (1790-1794), and helped facilitate the merger of the College of Philadelphia and the University of the State of Pennsylvania. After the union, the newly dubbed University of Pennsylvania chose Carson to serve as a trustee. He served in this position until 1794 when he resigned to take the position of the Chair of Chemistry. Unfortunately, he died from an attack of quinsy not long after taking up his new post.