Page:The History of the University of Pennsylvania, Wood.djvu/64

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58
HISTORY OF THE

the invitation of the trustees to resume his office of professor of languages in the college. The faculty was completed by the appointment of the Rev. Dr. John Andrews and the Rev. William Rogers; the former to assist the provost in instructing the philosophical classes, the latter, with the title of professor of English and oratory, to superintend the English and mathematical schools.

Of the medical professors, Dr. Morgan was absent from indisposition, and died before the arrangements were completed; and Dr. Kuhn remained connected with the university: so that Dr. William Shippen, professor of anatomy and surgery; and Dr. Rush, who succeeded Morgan in the chair of the practice, were at this time the only members of the faculty. The original number was completed by the appointment of Dr. Wistar to the chair of chemistry and the institutes of medicine, and Dr. Samuel Powell Griffitts to that of materia medica and pharmacy. An additional professorship was created—that of botany and natural history; and Dr. Barton was chosen as its occupant This may be regarded as one of the most interesting eras in the history of the medical school. It was now that Dr. Rush took that station which his genius and eloquence afterwards rendered so illustrious; it was now that Barton found a field for the display of acquirements unrivalled among his contemporary countrymen; it was now, moreover, that Wistar entered within those walls, which the fame of his talents as a teacher crowded with pupils, and about which his warm benevolence of heart, and delightful urbanity of manner combined to throw a charm, which, amidst all subsequent changes, has retained a strong influence over the affections of those who had the good fortune to listen to his instructions.

Soon after the revival of the school, a department of law was added to those of the arts and of medicine. James Wilson, a member of the board, was chosen professor, and de-