American Biography

Dr. William Gibson was a surgeon, born in Baltimore Maryland on March 14th 1788. He was the son of John Gibson of Rose Hill Maryland. In 1809 he graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was the pupil and friend of Sir Charles Bell. After studying in London and Paris, he returned to Baltimore where he was one of the founders of the University of Maryland, building the chair of surgery. While in Baltimore he gave efficient aid at the time of the riots of 1812.

Gibson traveled extensively in Asia and Africa and made frequent visits to Europe, where he met and was friendly with Lord Byron and with the leading surgeons of the day, including Halford, Velpeau and Abernethy, and Sir Astley Cooper. In 1815 he took part in the battle of Waterloo, fighting with the allied forces.

Dr. Gibson held the chair of surgery in the University of Pennsylvania from 1819 to 1855. He was an authority on obstetrics and was the first surgeon to successfully perform the Operation of hysterotomy twice on the same patient. He was also the first surgeon in America to perform a cesarean section. In 1858 he retired from active practice and moved to Newport Rhode Island.

Dr. William Gibson was married to Sarah Charlotte Hollingsworth, daughter of Col. Samuel Hollingsworth of Hagerstown Maryland. He was the author of: Principles and Practices of Surgery (2 vols., 1824), which was used as a text-book in America and England; Rambles in Europe with biographical sketches of surgeons (1839); and Lectures on Eminent Belgian Surgeons and Physicians (1841). He died in Savannah Georgia on March 2nd 1868, shortly before his 80th birthday.

George Washington Rodgers was a naval officer, born in Hartford county, Maryland, February 22nd 1787. George was the brother of Commander John Rodgers, also a respected naval officer. Their father was an officer in the Revolution. George was warranted a midshipman in the U.S. navy, April 2nd 1804, and was promoted to lieutenant on April 24th 1810.

Rodgers was assigned to duty on the sloop Wasp, being present at the engagement between the Wasp and the Frolic on October 18th 1812. He was included in the vote of thanks passed by congress, and received a silver medal.

George Washington Rodgers was married to Anna Maria Perry, daughter of Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah (Alexander) Perry. Two of their sons, Christopher Raymond Perry Rodgers and George Washington Rodgers (Jr) were also naval officers.

The senior George Washington Rodgers was given command of the brig Firefly in the war with Algiers in 1815. He was commissioned master-commandant on April 27th 1816, and assigned to the command of the ship Peacock in the Mediterranean from 1816 until 1818. Rodgers was promoted to captain on March 3rd 1825. He was a member of the board of examiners from 1828 to 1830. In 1830 Rodgers was promoted to commodore and given commanded of the Brazil squadron, which he headed from 1830 until his death in 1832. He died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 21st 1832.