On December 24, 1745, American patriot, founding father, and physician Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania

On December 24, 1745, American patriot, founding father, and physician Benjamin Rush was born in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Rush put his medical knowledge to use during the Revolution, treating injured and sick soldiers on the field. He went on to represent Pennsylvania as a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a proponent of the Constitution.

Did you know? Aside from his work for the patriot cause, Rush was known for his antislavery stance and tireless dedication to his patients, especially during the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. 💉🩸🩺 He also advocated for public education (including women’s education) and was the founder of two colleges that still operate today, Dickinson College and Franklin and Marshall College.

Portrait of Benjamin Rush, Charles Willson Peale, 1783

-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer