Henry
Miller, M. D.
1800-1874
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Henry Miller was born in Glasgow, Kentucky. November 1, 1800. His
father, who was; one of the first three settlers of Glasgow, was a
native of .Maryland. After having received a good common school
education, at thy age of seventeen, he entered upon the stud v of
medicine, in the office of Drs. Bainbridgo and Gist, in his native town,
where he remained two years. He then entered the Medical School of
Transylvania University, the first school of Medicine founded in that
city. The faculty with which the institution started was one of
distinction, comprising Drs. Charles Caldwell John Esten Cooke, Lunsford
P. Yaudell, who had been member of the Transylvania Medical School, and
Drs. Cobb and Flint. The list was completed bу the appointment of Dr.
Henry Miller to the chair of Obstetrics. The school was, in 1846. merged
into the University of Louisville, Dr. Miller retaining his
professorship until 1858. Having served continuously for twenty-three
years and feeling the need of a change, he,ir.gton, where he graduated
in 1821.
Such was his proficiency
that he was at once appointed demonstrator of anatomy, in which position
he laid the foundation of the high reputation he achieved later.
Subsequently, lie attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia and,
upon his return to Kentucky, began the practice of medicine in Glasgow.
In 1827. he moved to Tarrodsburg, Kentucky, and practiced his profession
with success until 1835, when he was called to Louisville to aid in the
organization of the Medical Insti-
in that year, resigned his chair and devoted himself to his private
practice. In this, his great skill and thorough knowledge of his pro
fcssioii gave him a large patronage and he soon became a favorite family
physician. In 1867, he was recalled to the institution, and was for two
years, professor of medical and surgical diseases of women, when he
again resigned. Subsequently, he accepted a similar- chair in the
Louisville Medical College, holding it at the time of his death, which
occurred February 18, 1874.
Dr. Miller was an extensive writer upon medical topics and, in addition
to many monographs on various subjects, was th author of two standard
medical works. The first, entitled, "Theoretical and Practical Treatise
on lînman Parturition/' was published in 1849, and the second.
"Principles and Practice of Obstetrics," several years later. The latter
became ihe text book in most of the schools of the day, and still ranks
among; the very first in this day medical literature, as a standard
authority, especially the chapters relating to the Mechanism of Labor,
which have been but slightly changed since he first published his views.
He enjoyed to an unusual degree the satisfaction of being recognized and
appreciated in his lifetime, instead of looking for- ward to post
bunions fame. By both the medical fraternity and the laity, he was
esteemed, honored and beloved. In addition to his membership in many
local and state societies, he was a member of the .American Medical
Association, and its president in 1859.
