The Biographical Dictionary of America/Avery, George Whitefield

AVERY, George Whitefield, physician, was born in Hartford. Conn., Sept. 27, 1836. In 1861 he obtained his M.D. degree from the Yale medical school, and entered the army as assistant surgeon of the 9th Connecticut volunteers. His first important service was at the St. James hospital at New Orleans. La., where he was chief surgeon appointed by General Butler. Subsequently he held a similar place in the Marine hospital, and in 1864 became surgeon of the New Orleans volunteers. He remained with this regiment two years, and after the war continued to reside in New Orleans for five years, rendering great service to the city during the yellow fever and cholera epidemics, and effecting several much-needed sanitary reforms. He returned to his native city in 1871, and aside from his private practice was for many years a physician at the American asylum for the deaf and dumb. He died in Hartford. Conn., Feb. 23, 1898.