Benjamin Rush (1746–1813) was a prominent American physician, educator, and social reformer, recognized as a Founding Father of the United States. Born in Byberry, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Princeton University at age 14 and later earned his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh. Rush returned to Philadelphia in 1769, where he became a professor of chemistry at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and published the first American chemistry textbook .
A fervent patriot, Rush was an early member of the Sons of Liberty and served in the Continental Congress, signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also served as Surgeon General of the Middle Department of the Continental Army but resigned in 1778 after conflicts with military leadership .
While Rush advocated for "heroic" treatments like bloodletting, which are now considered outdated, he made lasting contributions to psychiatry. He viewed mental illness as a medical condition and promoted humane treatment, publishing Medical Inquiries and Observations upon the Diseases of the Mind in 1812, the first American textbook on psychiatry.
Rush was a vocal critic of slavery, publishing a pamphlet in 1773 condemning the practice and helping to establish the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery. He also opposed capital punishment and advocated for education reform, founding Dickinson College and supporting women's education.
Despite some controversial views, Rush's commitment to public service, education, and social reform left a lasting impact on American society. He died in 1813 and is remembered as a pioneering figure in both American medicine and social reform.
