THE FOUNDERS

With the following words, the 101 Founders of the Medical & Chirurgical Faculty were introduced in the Medical Annals of Maryland, written by Eugene Fauntleroy Cordell for the 100th Anniversary of the Faculty. 

"Of the meeting for organization held at Annapolis in accordance with the provisions of the charter June 3, 1799, we have but a bare recital of results - the names of officers elected and members of the Boards of Examiners of the two Shores, constitution and by-laws, and resolutions. These meagre details but whet our appetites for further knowledge, but there is no means of obtaining it, unless some at-present unknown letter or manuscript be found to supply it.

Considering the circumstances, it is altogether likely that the meeting was held in one or other of the legislative halls at the Capitol. It may be in the historic Senate Chamber where Congress had sat so recently, and Washington had resigned his commission and read his ever- memorable farewell address. 

There, we may fancy the 101 founders preparing to sit in council, grave and reverend seigniors, deliberate in act and speech, still clad in the antique-style wig, cue, frilled shirt, high-necked coat with large brass buttons, knee breeches, stockings, shoe buckles, and not least, the gold-headed cane.

The first to enter, we will suppose, is the Baltimore delegation arrived by the morning coach, and then the remaining from the counties across the state."

Please click on one of the Founding Counties below to see the members' biographies. Some are extensive, some are just a few lines, and a few have absolutely no information. At the time of the founding, there were only 19 counties in Maryland, plus separate delegations which came from Annapolis and Baltimore City. Most of the delegations sent four members, but some of the smaller counties sent fewer.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you for reading!

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)