Thomas Lawson (Military physician)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lawson was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia
in 1789. Nothing is known about his early education or medical education, but it is assumed that he trained under local physicians.
Military Career
In 1809 at 19 he entered the United States Navy
as a surgeon's mate. He resigned two years later to be appointed as a garrison surgeon's mate in the army. Lawson served during the War of 1812
as he was promoted to be the post surgeon for the 6th Infantry on May 21, 1813. After the war he became the surgeon for the 7th Infantry and appeared as a senior officer of surgeon until he was promoted to Surgeon General in 1836. During his time with the 6th Infantry he was President of a board of medical examiners in charge of giving troops entrance and promotion health examinations. With troops concentrated around his garrison for the Seminole War, he was appointed the medical director of Fort Mitchell, Alabama
.
In 1836 Surgeon General Lovell died. A movement to promote a civilian doctor to the post was opposed by the army who were in full support of Lawson. He was appointed on November 30, 1836 by President Jackson. After the Seminole War there were few activities needing the attention of the Surgeon General, but Lawson worked to create many changes within the medical department of the military. Improvements included an increase in numbers, new uniforms, military rank and increased pay. During the Mexican War
Lawson accompanied General Scott from Vera Cruz to Mexico City as a medical advisor. The first three volumes of Army Medical Statistics were published during Lawson's tenure.
At the start of the American Civil War
, Lawson was 72 and in poor health. The medical staff for the Federal Army consisted of 30 surgeons and 83 assistant-surgeons. On May 15, 1861 he was stricken with apoplexy
and died in Norfolk, VA.
(1)http://history.amedd.army.mil/surgeongenerals/T_Lawson.html
(2)Gillett MC. Thomas Lawson, second Surgeon General of the U. S. Army: a character sketch. Prologue J Natl Arch. 1982 Spring;14(1):15-24.
Princess Anne County, Virginia
Princess Anne County is a former county which was created in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States in 1691. The county was merged into the city of Virginia Beach...
in 1789. Nothing is known about his early education or medical education, but it is assumed that he trained under local physicians.
Military Career
In 1809 at 19 he entered the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as a surgeon's mate. He resigned two years later to be appointed as a garrison surgeon's mate in the army. Lawson served during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
as he was promoted to be the post surgeon for the 6th Infantry on May 21, 1813. After the war he became the surgeon for the 7th Infantry and appeared as a senior officer of surgeon until he was promoted to Surgeon General in 1836. During his time with the 6th Infantry he was President of a board of medical examiners in charge of giving troops entrance and promotion health examinations. With troops concentrated around his garrison for the Seminole War, he was appointed the medical director of Fort Mitchell, Alabama
Fort Mitchell, Alabama
Fort Mitchell is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The area was originally a garrisoned fort intended to provide defense for the area during the Creek War. The community is the home of the Fort Mitchell National Cemetery....
.
In 1836 Surgeon General Lovell died. A movement to promote a civilian doctor to the post was opposed by the army who were in full support of Lawson. He was appointed on November 30, 1836 by President Jackson. After the Seminole War there were few activities needing the attention of the Surgeon General, but Lawson worked to create many changes within the medical department of the military. Improvements included an increase in numbers, new uniforms, military rank and increased pay. During the Mexican War
Mexican War
Mexican War may refer to:*Mexican War of Independence *Mexican–American War *French intervention in Mexico *Mexican Revolution *Mexican Civil War *Cristero War *Mexican Drug War...
Lawson accompanied General Scott from Vera Cruz to Mexico City as a medical advisor. The first three volumes of Army Medical Statistics were published during Lawson's tenure.
At the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Lawson was 72 and in poor health. The medical staff for the Federal Army consisted of 30 surgeons and 83 assistant-surgeons. On May 15, 1861 he was stricken with apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
and died in Norfolk, VA.
(1)http://history.amedd.army.mil/surgeongenerals/T_Lawson.html
(2)Gillett MC. Thomas Lawson, second Surgeon General of the U. S. Army: a character sketch. Prologue J Natl Arch. 1982 Spring;14(1):15-24.