John Gorham (physician)

John Gorham (1787-1829) was an American physician, chemist, and academic. He served as the Erving Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy at Harvard University from 1817 until his death.

Gorham was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard College in 1807 and received his M.D. from the same institution in 1810. He then engaged in private practice in Boston before being appointed adjunct professor of chemistry at Harvard in 1816.

Gorham made significant contributions to the field of chemistry instruction. He authored "The Elements of Chemical Science" (1819), a widely used textbook in American colleges and universities. The book covered a broad range of topics in chemistry, including elements, compounds, chemical reactions, and their applications in various industries. Gorham's textbook was noted for its clarity and organization, and it played a key role in standardizing chemistry education in the United States.

Beyond his academic work, Gorham was involved in various scientific and medical societies. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Massachusetts Medical Society. He also contributed to medical journals and was an advocate for improved medical education standards.

His lectures and publications helped to popularize the study of chemistry in the United States, contributing to its growth as a scientific discipline.