 
Samuel
D. Gross
(1805-1884)
JMC Class of 1828
Undoubtedly
the most venerated figure in Jefferson's history, Samuel D. Gross
was pre-eminent in the medical profession. In addition to being
the finest surgeon of his time, he was also a distinguished educator,
author of fourteen highly influential books and over 1,200 articles,
all while he maintained a thriving medical practice. Gross is also
the central figure depicted in Thomas Eakins' masterpiece "
The
Gross Clinic."
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Lithotomy
knife. (Samuel D. Gross Collection, MS 4)
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Gross received
his MD from Jefferson Medical College in 1828 and practiced in Philadelphia
from 1828 until his move in 1830 to Easton Ohio. Before he returned
to Jefferson Medical College as Professor of Surgery in 1856, Gross
taught at the Medical College of Ohio (later known as the Medical
Dept. of Cincinnati College) from 1833 to 1840; and at Louisville
Medical Institute (later the University of Louisville) from 1840
to 1856.
In addition
to teaching, Gross enjoyed a wide reputation for his numerous writings
including his System of Surgery (1859). Translated into several
different languages, it was considered by many to be the greatest
surgical treatise of its time. Between 1859 and 1882, the work went
through six American editions. Another publication of Gross, his
Manual of Military Surgery (1861), became a standard field manual
for Civil War surgeons -- including the Confederate Army for whom
it was pirated and reprinted.
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Dedication
from Samuel D. Gross, Manual of Military Surgery, Philadelphia:
Lippincott, 1862.
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A founder
of the American Medical Association, Gross was also the founder
and first president of the American Surgical Association, and the
founder and first president of the Alumni Association of Jefferson
Medical College. In addition, Gross was the first alumnus to be appointed
to a professorship at Jefferson.
After serving
on Jefferson's faculty for twenty-five years, he resigned in March
1882. Gross retained the title of Emeritus Professor of Surgery
until his death on 6 May 1884 in Philadelphia.
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