Samuel Bard (physician)

Samuel Bard (1742-1821) was an American physician, prominent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and a founding figure in medical education in the United States. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received his early education from his father, John Bard, also a physician.

Bard pursued his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, earning his medical degree in 1765. He returned to America and established a medical practice in New York City. He played a pivotal role in establishing the medical school at King's College (later Columbia University) in 1767, where he served as a professor of medicine.

During the American Revolutionary War, Bard remained in New York City under British occupation. After the war, he helped to revive the medical school at Columbia, serving as its dean. He was a strong advocate for improving medical education standards and played a key role in establishing the New York Hospital, where he also practiced medicine.

Bard was a respected physician known for his clinical acumen and compassionate care. He authored several medical publications, including "An Enquiry into the Nature and Cause of the Angina Suffocativa, or, Sore Throat Distemper" (1781), which contributed significantly to the understanding and treatment of diphtheria. He also served as President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Samuel Bard was a leading figure in American medicine during a period of significant growth and change. His contributions to medical education, clinical practice, and public health were considerable and left a lasting impact on the development of the medical profession in the United States.