JAMES B. ROGERS, M.D.     Click image to enlarge Go to lecture card display James B. Rogers, late Professor of Chemistry in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, was born in the city of Philadelphia, on the 22d of February, A.D. 1803. He was the eldest son of Dr. Patrick Kerr Rogers, who, at an early age, emigrated to this country in 1791. Soon after his arrival, the youthful emigrant was employed as an usher, in the literary department of the University of Pennsylvania; but his inclinations directed him towards the medical profession; and, having pursued his studies in the office of Professor Barton, he graduated, as Doctor of Medicine, in 1802. The thesis which he presented was an experimental one, of the chemical and medicinal properties of the Liriodendron tulipifera. In 1819 he was appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, in William and Mary College, at Williamsburg, Virginia. The subject of our notice, after having concluded his preliminary education at William and Mary College, entered upon the systematic study of Medicine. His studies were conducted in Baltimore ; and, enrolling himself as a pupil of the University of Maryland, whose reputation at the time was maintained and extended by the names of Potter, Davidge, Baker, and De Butts, in 1822 he received the honors of the institution. His thesis was upon Epilepsy. In 1840 he took up his abode in Philadelphia, his native city, which continued to be his home until his decease. After removing to Philadelphia, he was first occupied in rendering that assistance to his brother, Henry D. Rogers, the geologist of the State of Pennsylvania, which he had done in Virginia, and was engaged in the field as well as in the laboratory. His leisure seasons were employed in giving private instruction to medical students in the form of recapitulatory lectures and examinations. In 1841, the changes which occurred in the Philadelphia Medical Institute opened the way for the more prominent exhibition of his powers as a lecturer in this community. He was chosen to succeed Professor J. K. Mitchell, who for many years had been distinguished for his interesting and attractive mode of teaching chemistry. In this position, expectation was not disappointed, and henceforth Dr. Rogers was regarded as worthy the highest position pertaining to his branch. In 1847, while connected with the Franklin College, a new and promising institution to which he had contributed strength, the chair of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania became vacant by the resignation of Professor Hare, and he became the successor of the same eminent individual to whom his father had succeeded twenty-eight years previously. But the wear of life was making inroads on his constitution; and with a full conviction of his condition, with Christian hope, he yielded up his spirit without a struggle, on June 15th, 1852.