Medicine. 323 



iBoting the knowledge of medical science. Dr. 

 EzEKiEL Hersey, an eminent physician of Hing- 

 ham, in that State, who died in 1770, bequeathed 

 one thousand pounds, Massachusetts currency, to 

 be applied to the support of a Professor of Anatomy 

 and Surgery. His widow, at her death, left a 

 like sum, to be devoted to the same object. His 

 brother. Dr. Abner Hersey, of Barnstable, and 

 Dr. JopiN Gumming, of Concord, left each five 

 hundred pounds, to be also applied to the en- 

 couragement and support of medical instruction.^ 

 These generous donations were aided by that of 

 William Erving, Esquire, an opulent gentleman 

 of Boston, who, a few years afterwards, gave one 

 thousand pounds towards the support of an addi- 

 tional Professor.'' 



Though the first of the benefactions above stated 

 was made some time before the commencement of 

 the revolutionary war, yet nothing effectual was 

 done toward executing the will of these public 

 spirited donors till near the close of it. In 1781 

 Dr. John Warren began to lecture in Boston 

 on Anatomy and Surgery, and prosecuted his plan 

 for two seasons. In 1783 the government of the 

 University of Cambridge proceeded to organize a 

 regular medical school, when Dr. Warren was 

 appointed Professor of Anatomy and Surgery ; Dr. 

 Benjamin Waterhouse, Professor of the Theory 

 and Practice of Physic ; and Dr. Aaron Dexter, 

 Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medlca. Since 

 that period these gentlemen have regularly de- 



y These several sums, amounting to three thousand pounds, Tvlas^achusetts 

 currency, are funded, and their annual proceeds equally divided between 

 the Professors of Anatomy and Surgery, and of the T/jeory and Practice of 

 Physic ; each of which Professorships bears the name of Kersey. 



z The bequest of Mr. Erving was exclusively devoted by him to the 

 support of a professorship of Chemistry and Materia Mcdica. I'liis profes* 

 sorship also bears the name of its first and principal benefactor. 



