John Redman (77)

John Redman (27 February 1722–19 March 1808) was a physician and educator and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born in Philadelphia, he spent much of his youth and early adulthood receiving formal education. Following an apprenticeship to APS member John Kearsley, Sr., Redman enrolled in Edinburgh University in the fall of 1746. The following year, he enrolled in the University of Leiden where he received his medical degree in 1748, before pursuing further medical training at Guy’s Hospital in London. Returning to Philadelphia in 1749, he became a pillar of the medical community. He was chosen as the first consulting physician for the new Pennsylvania Hospital in 1751 and later served as the first president of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia from 1786-1804. His successful medical practice, which included surgery and obstetrics, assured his financial independence. He promoted smallpox inoculation and other causes, but he was perhaps best known for his soothing bedside manner, born of his belief that a patient’s mental state played an important role in their course of treatment. Aside from serving in the Philadelphia Common Council, Redman’s political activities were few. His advanced age precluded much involvement in the American Revolution, though he did take the oath of allegiance in 1778 and donated lead from his roof to Pennsylvania’s army. Redman trained several physicians who later became influential in medical education, including APS members Benjamin Rush, Caspar Wistar, and John Morgan. Redman was a trustee of the College of New Jersey and the College of Philadelphia. He was also active in the Presbyterian Church throughout his life, holding a number of offices including president of the Presbyterian Ministers’ Fund, and regularly reading devotional literature. His son-in-law Daniel Coxe and grandson John Redman Coxe were APS members. (PI, DAB)