Noble Young, M. D.
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MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGETOWN
On the 25th day of October, 1849, four well-known physicians of this
city met at the office of Dr. Young for the purpose of taking into
serious consideration the establishment of a medical college in the
District of Columbia. These gentlemen were 'Drs. Young, Howard,
Liebermann, and Elliot. The gentlemen at that meeting decided upon the
step, and communicated with the president of Georgetown College in
reference to working under the charter of that institution. All the
details were soon arranged, and on November 5 they received notice of
their appointment as professors in the new department.
In May, 1850, a lot at the corner
of Twelfth and F streets was leased, with the privilege of purchase, and
a commodious building at once erected. Dr. Young was elected president
of the institution and Dr. F. Howard registrar, which title was soon
after changed to that of dean. The first course of lectures commenced on
the first Monday in April, 1851, with a faculty as follows:
Professor of the Principle and Practice of Medicine; Charles H.
Lieberman, M. D., Professor of the Institute and Practice of Surgery;
Flodoardo Howard, M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women
and Children; Johnson Elliot, M. D., Professor of Anatomy; Joshua
Ritchie, M. D., Professor of the Institute of Medicine; James M. Austin,
M. D., Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics; J. W. H. Lovejoy,
M. D., Professor of Chemistry ; Samuel W. Everett, M. D., Adjunct
Professor and Demonstrator of Anatomy. But little more than a year from
the time the college was first spoken of had elapsed when it was in
operation, showing the energy and activity of its founders.
In 1864 the college appears to have swallowed up all competitors, for at
that time it was the only medical college in operation in the District,
and was in a most flourishing condition. In March, 1868, it graduated a
class numbering forty- seven, from one hundred and fifty to one hundred
and sixty pupils at that time being constant attendants. During this
year, needing more commodious lecture- rooms for the accommodation of
their large classes, they removed to Tenth and E streets and
re-organized, with eight professorships. In 1870 a school of pharmacy
was established, which, however, was only conducted until 1873.
In 1876 the old faculty, having
become tired of the active duties of teachers, determined to retire, and
a meeting for the entire re-organization of the faculty was held in
Dr. Young's
office in March of that year. A new organization was completed and a
summer school soon after commenced, which was abolished in 1881 and the
winter term lengthened to eight months. The standing of this institution
is to-day second to none in the Union. It has adopted a long and
thorough course, so that its pupils may be the better fitted to enter
upon their responsible duties, and that they may be proud to say they
have graduated from a college which is one of those where the higher
standard of excellence is required and where none who are not competent
can obtain degrees. The new building on H street, between Ninth and
Tenth northwest, is a superb one, fitted with all the latest appliances
for its comfort and convenience. The gentlemen whose names are
represented in the faculty are sufficient guarantee of the standing of
the college.
