Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/181

 Journal of the Medical Sciences” in 1835. Two years subsequently the same was published in the “Presse Médicale” of Paris, but without allusion to the American anatomist.

In 1852 Dr. Horner resigned the Deanship of the Medical Department, which is worthy of notice from the fact that he had held that important executive office for thirty years, and, in addition to his professorial labors, faithfully fulfilled its requirements. Prior to the assumption of the duties of this office by Dr. Horner, they were performed in rotation by the Professors. With him it became a permanent position, and has thus continued with advantage to the interests of the Medical Department. Dr. Horner twice visited Europe, first in the early part of his career, and again in 1848, when he journeyed for the sake of recuperation from his labors; but his health from this period rapidly declined. He died on the 13th of March, 1853, of extensive disease of the heart.

To the vacant Professorship Dr. Joseph Leidy was elected in May, 1853.

In 1855, Dr. Gibson resigned his Professorship of Surgery. This Chair he had held for thirty-six years. He was appointed Emeritus Professor of Surgery by the Trustees.

Dr. William Gibson was born in Baltimore, Maryland, March 14, 1788, and received his early education in that city, and at St. John’s College, Annapolis. He subsequently went to Princeton College, and remained during the session of 1803–4, leaving the Institution before the time that his class graduated. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John Owen, of Baltimore, and in 1806 attended a course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania. He himself tells us that upon his arrival in Philadelphia he heard the first public lecture he ever listened to. “It was from my distinguished predecessor, the late Dr. Physick. Struck with the peculiar appearance of that extraordinary man, and with the precepts he poured forth, my attention was riveted to every action he displayed, and every word that fell from his lips.”