Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), an American physician and political leader, a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was also a Treasurer of the United States Mint, surgeon general to the Continental Army and the “father of American psychiatry.” He was known for human treatment of mentally ill. He was inventor and promotor of a “tranquilizing chair” use instead of straight jacket. He was criticized for his purging and bloodletting practices, but his contributions to medicine are many. He pioneered occupation therapy and fought yellow fever epidemics in Philadelphia. Rush is the author of the first American psychiatry work. He also promoted higher education and was a founder of Dickinson College and Franklin College.
- Medal
Bronze. United States 1808. Signed. Lifetime. Honoring long serving United States Mint Treasure
- Size
42 mm
- Artist
Moritz Furst (1782-1840): American medallist of the first half of the 19 century, born in Hungary. He studied at Vienna and Milan, and was a pupil of J. N. Wurth. In 1807, he went to the United States of America and in the following year obtained the appointment of Engraver at the Mint of Philadelphia, where he worked for the next 30 years (Forrer 2, 172)
- Obverse
Clothed bust, with queue, to left; a neck cloth under the collar; on truncation, F.; in a curve above, BENJAMIN RUSH M : D : OF PHILADELPHIA .:.
- Reverse
Landscape in the vicinity of Philadelphia with meandering Schuylkill River and line of trees on the left; in rear, the setting sun with mountain and clouds; to right of a large tree in foreground, SYDENHAM; in front of trees, a block of stone with an open book upon it, on stone, READ/THINK/OBSERVE in three lines. In exergue, M. FURST FEC. / A.MDCCCVIII in two lines.
- Ref
Freeman 463; Storer 3097
