The College of
Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York
The College of
Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York was
chartered on June 12, 1812, and closed January 26, 1841. Before 1812,
the Fairfield Academy was teaching medical courses. A memorandum was
sent to the Regents of the State of New York proposing medical courses
when the Fairfield Academy was forming in 1802. In 1809 medical
instruction was given at what was called the Academy of Medicine of
Fairfield. In 1807 the Regents chartered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons in New York City which later merged with the Medical Department
of Columbia (formerly King's College) in 1813.
When the College at
Fairfield was chartered, it was the first medical school west of the
Hudson River and attracted many well known teachers and graduated many
students who would later become known in medical history. Some graduates
continued west and started new colleges on the advancing frontier. The
advent of new colleges, and their higher salaries for professors, led
some of Fairfield's staff to resign. The income from tuition and state
grants was not enough to continue the medical college at Fairfield.
The last course of
lectures was given in 1840. Approximately 600 physicians graduated and
spread their techniques and knowledge throughout the United States. The
Fairfield Academy and Seminary continued to graduate students who later
completed their education and were granted medical degrees by other
institutions.
Herkimer County
Historical Society
Copyright ©1997 Jane Dieffenbacher/Martha S. Magill
All Rights Reserved.
