Physician; born in
Philadelphia, April 1, 1742; son of
Dr. John Bard; studied at the
University of Edinburgh, where he passed about three years, and was an innate of the family of
Dr. Robertson, the historian.
Having graduated as M. D. in 1765, he returned home, and began the practice of medicine in New York City with his father.
He organized a medical school, which was connected with
King's (Columbia) College, in which he took the chair of physic in 1769.
In 1772 he purchased his father's business.
He caused the establishment of a public hospital in the
city of New York in 1791, and, while the seat of the national government was at New York, he was the physician of
President Washington.
He was also appointed president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1813.
While combating yellow fever in New York in 1798, he took the disease, but by the faithful nursing of his wife he recovered.
Dr. Bard was a skilful horticulturist as well as an eminent physician.
He died May 24. 1821.
