A 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
OF THE LATE 
NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, M.D., 
PROFESSOR OF THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE 
IN THE 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
S. W. BUTLER, M. D. 
Reprinted from the New Jersey Medical Reporter, 
JOSEPH M. AV IL SON, 
S. W. CORNER OF NINTH AND ARCH STREETS, 
PHILADELPHIA. PHILADELPHIA: 
T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
OF THE LATE 
NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, M. D. 
[Note.-In preparing the following memoir, the author has taken great pains to 
obtain reliable facts from authentic sources, and he submits it to the public, confi- 
dent in its general accuracy, and in the belief, too, that it is the most complete 
biographical memoir of Dr. Chapman that has ever been published. The facts are 
drawn principally from the following sources: 1. Memoranda politely furnished the 
author by different members of Dr. Chapman's immediate family. 2. From biogra- 
phical notices of Dr. Chapman, drawn up by his nephew, John B. Biddle, M. D., 
from data furnished him by Dr Chapman in his own handwriting, and published 
in the Medical Examiner, vol. 1, New Series, p. 322, 1842, and in the same work, 
vol. 9, New Series, p. 532, 1853. And 3. From "A Discourse commemorative of 
Nathaniel Chapman, M. D., $c., delivered before the Trustees, the Medical 
Faculty, and Students of the University of Pennsylvania, by Samuel Jackson, M. D., 
Professor of the Institutes of Medicine, October 13, 1854."] 
Precious as is the memory of the dead to those who were con- 
nected with them in their lifetime by the ties of consanguinity- 
sacred to them as is every item of the personal history of the 
departed, the public has a right to share in the possession of these 
sacred items and this precious memory, when the subject of them, 
in his lifetime, was a public servant and benefactor. Impressed 
with this idea, the writer of this brief sketch has ventured to 
invade the privacy of family history ; to lift the curtain that hides 
the past from view ; to recall to the minds of the living memories 
of the departed, which are treasured in the deepest recesses of the 
heart, that he may do something to perpetuate the memory of one 
who was long loved and respected; not only in the wide circle in 
which he moved in the city of his adoption, but by very many 
who cherish kindly remembrances of him, though long years have 4 
passed away since they knew him, and though mountains rise, 
and oceans roll between them and the place where sleep his ashes. 
" The living know that they must dieand the voices of the 
departed, who, in their lifetime, were benefactors to their kind, 
call on them to improve their time and opportunities, if they 
would have their lives held up as examples to succeeding genera- 
tions, and leave behind them memories that shall be cherished. 
Dr. Nathaniel Chapman was the second son of George Chap- 
man, Esq., of Virginia, and was born on the 28th of May, 1780,* 
at the family seat, Summer Hill, then in Fairfax County, on the 
bank of the Potomac River, about midway between the present site 
of Washington City and Alexandria, Virginia. His family was of 
an old and respectable English stock, his paternal ancestor, who came 
to Virginia with the first colony, having been a captain of cavalry 
in the British army, and the youngest son of a cousin-german of 
Sir Walter Raleigh. The family settled on the river Pomonkey, 
some twenty miles from Richmond; but the branch from which 
the subject of our memoir is descended migrated about a century 
and a half ago to Maryland, and fixed itself on an estate on the 
banks of the Potomac, nearly opposite Mount Vernon, which is 
still, we believe, in their possession. His father, however, went 
to Virginia upon his marriage, where he afterwards remained. 
His mother, Amelia Macrae, was a daughter of Allan Macrae, of 
Scotch descent, who early settled in Dumfries, Virginia, and em- 
ployed his time and capital in mercantile pursuits, and left a large 
estate to his children. 
Very little is remembered of the earlier years of the doc- 
tor's life, except that in his very boyhood he manifested a fond- 
ness for books, and a taste for literature, and soon exhibited some 
decided poetical talents: for when but eight years of age, it was 
thought by his family that he had successfully imitated some of 
the early efforts of Pope, and paraphrased some of the odes 
of Horace. Dr. Chapman was early placed at school, and after 
receiving a common elementary education in the neighborhood of 
his father's residence, he entered the classical academy of Alex- 
* This is according to Dr. Chapman's own memoranda, but his brother, S. F. 
Chapman, Esq., of Washington City, in a letter to the author, dates it two years 
earlier, May 28th, 1778-which is most probably correct. 5 
andria, founded by Washington, where he passed six years. He 
subsequently spent a short time in two colleges, though not long 
enough, as he has remarked, to owe either any obligation. 
While yet quite young, he became a contributor, over the sig- 
nature " Falkland," to the pages of the Portfolio, a literary journal 
of high character, published in Philadelphia, and edited by the 
late accomplished and learned Joseph Dennie, Esq. 
Dr. Chapman's medical education was commenced in the office 
of Dr. John Weems, of Georgetown, D. C., with whom he remained 
a year or more. Dr. Weems was a gentleman of great profes- 
sional eminence, and a near relation of Dr. Chapman's family. 
His studies were continued with Dr. Dick, of Alexandria, whose 
name is not unknown in the annals of medicine. He went to 
Philadelphia in the autumn of 1797, where he became a private 
and favorite pupil of the late Dr. Benjamin Kush, and -went through 
the regular course of study in the medical department of the 
University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1801. The 
subject of his inaugural essay was The Canine State of Fever. It 
was written at the request of Dr. Bush, in answer to an attack 
upon his favorite theory of the pathology of that disease. Dr. 
Chapman had previously prepared another thesis on the Sympa- 
thetic Connections of the Stomach with the rest of the Body, which he 
afterwards read before the Philadelphia Medical Society. This 
contained the substance of his peculiar views on fever and other 
diseases, as well as the modus operandi of medicines. Immedi- 
ately after graduating, Dr. Chapman went to Europe to complete 
his medical studies. 
He remained about three years abroad. The first year was 
spent in London, as a private pupil of the celebrated Abernethy. 
The University at Edinburgh, however, being the most celebrated 
of the British schools, he went thither, completed his studies, and 
took a degree. During his sojourn in Edinburgh, he became in- 
timate with many of the eminent persons of those days, among 
whom may be mentioned Dugald Stewart, the Earl of Buchan, 
and Mr. (afterwards Lord Chancellor) Brougham, then a fellow- 
student. Although Brougham was then quite young, Chapman 
perceived in him the elements of greatness, and in a biographical 
sketch of him, published in 1809, he predicted his future 
eminence. 6 
Before his departure from Edinburgh, Lord Buchan gave him 
a public breakfast, on the birthday of Washington, at which a 
number of distinguished persons were present, when he took 
occasion to intrust him with an interesting relic, valuable from a 
double historical association. Lord Buchan had presented to 
General Washington a box, made of the oak that sheltered Sir 
William Wallace, after the battle of Falkirk, with a request to 
" pass it, in the event of his decease, to the man in his country 
who should appear to merit it best." General Washington, de- 
clining so invidious a designation, returned it by will to the earl, 
who committed it to Dr. Chapman, to be delivered to Dr. Rush, 
with a view to its being ultimately placed in the cabinet of the 
college at Washington, to which General Washington had be- 
queathed a large sum. 
It was the intention of Dr. Chapman to have spent a longer 
time abroad, and to have visited some of the continental seats of 
medical learning. But the unsettled state of affairs existing in 
Europe, and the earnest solicitations of a friend who desired his 
company home, induced him to return earlier than he expected. 
On his return to this country, his former preceptor, Dr. Weems, 
proposed to him to enter into partnership with him in the practice 
of medicine at Alexandria; but thinking that Philadelphia offered 
the best chances for success, he concluded to settle in that city. 
It was in 1804 that he began his career as a practitioner in Phila- 
delphia. His attractive manners, and reputation for talent, secured 
his almost immediate success in practice. He became the favorite 
physician of a large portion of the higher classes in that city, a 
position he continued to occupy as long as he remained in active 
practice. 
The same year, he also began his career as a teacher, by giving 
a private course on obstetrics, which proved to be very popular. 
In 1808, Dr. Chapman formed a matrimonial connection with 
Rebecca Biddle, daughter of Col. Clement Biddle, one of the most 
prominent and distinguished citizens in Philadelphia. From this 
connection, during a period of nearly fifty years, he derived the 
highest degree of domestic happiness. 
The same year, he became associated with Dr. Thomas C. James 
as an instructor in obstetrics, with whom he remained associated 
until, on the 29th of June, 1810, Dr. James was elected to the 7 
newly created chair of midwifery in the University of Pennsyl- 
vania. Dr. Chapman, however, continued his course of lectures 
successfully, and his connection with Dr. James was not disturbed 
by the event. 
In 1813, the death of Dr. Push took place, and Dr. B. S. Barton 
was transferred from the professorship of Materia Medica, in the 
University, to the vacant professorship of Dr. Rush, that of the 
Institutes and Practice of Medicine. On the 13th of August of 
that year, at the age of 35, began Dr. Chapman's first official con- 
nection with the University as a professor, when he was elected 
to the chair of Materia Medica, left vacant by the transfer of Dr. 
Barton. This chair he occupied until, on the death of Dr. Barton, 
in 1816, he was unanimously elected to the Professorship of the 
Practice, Institutes, and Clinical Medicine; which position he held 
till he was removed by death, on the 1st of July, 1853. His last 
course of lectures was delivered during the winter of 1849-50, and 
to the writer there is a melancholy pleasure in the thought that he 
was one of the last students ever examined by him for a diploma. 
Dr. Chapman received many testimonials of the regard and 
esteem in which he was held by the students to whom he lectured, 
and by his fellow-citizens. These are treasured by the family 
as pleasing reminiscences of the past. Among the first of these 
testimonials was a bust of himself, presented by one of the classes 
of the University soon after he began to lecture. The inscription 
on this bust is unfortunately lost. In the cholera epidemic of 
1832, Prof. Chapman had charge of one of the city cholera hos- 
pitals, located at Twelfth and Locust Streets. At the termination 
of the epidemic, 9*r. C., in common with the other physicians who 
had charge of hospitals, was presented by the city with a silver 
pitcher, in testimony of his public services. This pitcher, known 
in the family as " the cholera pitcher," contains the following in- 
scription :- 
to NATHANIEL CHAPMAN: 
THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, 
GRATEFUL FOR HIS DISINTERESTED AND 
INTREPID EXERTIONS 
IN A PERIOD OF PUBLIC CALAMITY. 
Transeat in exemplum. 8 
The medical class of 1835, presented him with a valuable ser- 
vice of silver, consisting of two large pitchers, three waiters, and 
goblets. They bear the following inscription:- 
PRESENTED BY THE MEDICAL CLASS OF THE 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 
to prof. NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, 
AS A TESTIMONY OF RESPECT FOR HIS EXALTED TALENTS, 
AND OF GRATITUDE FOR REPEATED INSTANCES OF 
DISINTERESTED FRIENDSHIP, AND UNSOLICITED FAVORS. 
Forsan et hcec olim meminisse juvabit. 
Not long after this, at the request of another class, Dr. Chap- 
man sat for his portrait, which was painted by his friend, Thomas 
Sully, and was, at his own request, placed in the museum of the 
University. 
There is another portrait of Dr. Chapman, painted by Nagle, in 
the museum of the medical department of Pennsylvania College, 
which by some is thought to be a better likeness than the former. 
Besides his duties as professor in the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, Dr. Chapman performed other labors of a public character. 
In 1820, during a severe epidemic of yellow fever in Philadelphia, 
he, with Dr. Thomas Hewson, had charge of the City Yellow 
Fever Hospital. He also, for a long period, gave clinical lectures 
in the Hospital of the Philadelphia Almshouse. For nearly 
twenty-five years, also, he delivered a summer course of lectures 
in the Philadelphia Medical Institute. This institution, which is 
still in existence, is the oldest of its kind in the United States, 
and was founded by Dr. Chapman, in 1817, although he generously 
declined all participation in the fees, or control over the appoint- 
ments to chairs. 
Soon after his return from Europe, he published a work en- 
titled, Select Speeches, Forensic and Parliamentary, with critical and 
illustrative remarks, in five octavo volumes, which attracted much 
attention. In 1817, first appeared his Elements of Therapeutics 
and Materia Medica, which went through seven editions, one of 
them surreptitious. This treatise long maintained distinguished 
popularity among the works on Materia Medica, and now occu- 
pies a high rank as a book of reference. Of late years, Dr. C. 9 
refused to give his consent to the publication of new editions of 
the work, unless he could revise it. In 1820, he commenced the 
publication of the Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Phy- 
sical Sciences, which he continued to edit for many years. The 
Journal was undertaken with liberal views, the doctor never re- 
ceiving any salary for his services. He was subsequently an 
occasional contributor to different periodicals. 
Dr. Chapman filled numerous and honorable appointments 
in medical and learned societies. He frequently occupied the 
post of President of the Philadelphia Medical Society, in which 
he was a leading debater when the floor of that Society "was a 
field in which the ablest members of the profession met in earnest 
and often vehement discussion. He was the successor to Dupon- 
ceau in the eminent distinction of the presidency of the American 
Philosophical Society, and was a corresponding member of many 
of the learned societies of Europe. Dr. C. wore these honors 
meekly, and we believe never made the slightest display of them. 
The above, we believe, comprises briefly the main facts in Dr. 
Chapman's life. A few words in regard to him as a man, a phy- 
sician, and an instructor will close this sketch* Dr. Chapman 
was the Sir Henry Halford of the United States. He was not 
more distinguished for professional attainments than for courtli- 
ness and vivacity of manner, wit, knowledge of the world, and 
literary taste. His private character formed a marked contrast 
with that of his friend and contemporary, Physick, with whom he 
so long shared the first rank in the profession of Philadelphia. 
Physick, who shunned general society, and was little known, 
except in professional intercourse, had a reserved stateliness of 
manner, from which he never unbent. Engrossed by his patients 
and profession, he seldom entered into the every-day topics of 
life, and is remembered only as the skilful surgeon and successful 
operator. Chapman's temperament was cast in a different mould. 
Eminently social in disposition, with a gayety of spirit that did 
not flag with years, a wit, a punster, delightful as a companion, 
and enjoying company, he, for a long period, occupied a position, 
* Here the writer feels constrained again to acknowledge his indebtedness to 
Dr. John B. Biddle. Much that follows is almost literally quoted from his article 
in vol. i. new series, of the Medical Examiner, acknowledged in more general terms 
in a note at the head of this memoir. 10 
we may say, unrivalled in the society of Philadelphia. To these 
brilliant qualities he united the kindliest feelings. His wit was 
without malice; he was frank, open-hearted, and open-handed. 
It is not surprising then that he was individually as popular as 
he was professionally eminent. He was emphatically the student's 
friend. With his heart and his purse always open, he was ever 
ready not only to impart sympathy, but more material aid when 
it was needed. We remember to have heard, during our pupilage 
in Philadelphia, that Dr. Chapman's generous nature was occa- 
sionally taken advantage of by mendacious and unprincipled 
students. If Dr. Chapman had a greeting more cordial, or a 
grasp of the hand more friendly and earnest than another, it was 
reserved for such of his pupils as were from his native State, 
Virginia, as he ever retained and manifested a decided preference 
for Virginia and everything Virginian. This preference, however, 
was by no means carried to the degree of exclusiveness, for he was 
as much a favorite with the Northern as with the Southern student. 
As a practitioner, Dr. Chapman was distinguished as much for 
the charm of his manner in the sick chamber, as for skill and 
success in prescribing. His lively conversation and ever ready 
joke were often more effective than anodyne or cordial. Indeed, 
in cases of trifling importance, the doctor sometimes prescribed 
little else. In pleasant chitchat, both patient and physician 
seemed to forget the object of the visit, and the doctor would 
depart, and "leave no sign" for pill or bolus. In this connection, 
we cannot forbear introducing a single short anecdote which, we 
believe, is correctly attributed to Dr. Chapman. He one day 
received a hasty summons from a lady to attend at her house. 
On his arrival, he learned that her daughter had accidentally 
swallowed a shilling piece, and the mother was all anxiety and 
trepidation in view of the consequences. "Was it a good shil- 
ling?" coolly asked the doctor. "Yes." "Well, then, I guess it 
will pass," he replied, as he bowed and retired. 
But when roused by symptoms of actual severity, Dr. Chapman 
was almost as unequalled in resources as he was devoted in atten- 
tions. Hence, as a consulting physician, his great powers were 
particularly conspicuous. Rapid and clear in diagnosis, inex- 
haustible in therapeutics, self-relying, never discouraged, he was 
the physician of physicians for an emergency. "As a lecturer," 11 
says Dr. Jackson, "Dr. Chapman was self-possessed, deliberate, 
and emphatic. Whenever warmed with his subject, his anima- 
tion became oratorical. Often the tedium of dry matter would 
be enlivened by some stroke of wit, a happy pun, an anecdote, 
or quotation. He was furnished with stores of facts and cases, 
drawn from his own large experience and observation, illustrating 
principles, diseases, or treatment under discussion. His bearing 
was dignified, manners easy, and gestures graceful. He had a 
thorough command over the attention of his class, with whom he 
always possessed an unbounded popularity. His voice had a 
peculiar intonation, depending on some defect in the conformation 
of the palate, that rendered the articulation of some sounds an 
effort. The first time he was heard, the ear experienced difficulty 
in distinguishing his words. This was of short duration; for, 
once accustomed to the tone, his enunciation was remarkable for 
its distinctness. Students would often take notes of his lectures 
nearly verbatim." 
"His name," says the same writer, "is inscribed on the pages 
of the medical history of our country, with those of the distin- 
guished and memorable men whose cultivation and labors have 
advanced and illustrated our science. * * * It is embalmed, 
cherished, and revered in the grateful bosoms of the thousands 
who loved him as a man, valued him as an instructor, and blessed 
him as a physician." 
In the spring of 1850, his declining health made it necessary 
for Dr. Chapman to resign his professorship in the University, 
but he was immediately chosen by the trustees, emeritus pro- 
fessor. From this time to his decease, his health continued to 
fail, and he died on the 1st of July, 1853, of a slow and gradual 
decay, rather than of any positive disease.