Page:American Medical Biographies - Kelly, Burrage.djvu/971

NAME PUTNAM 949 PUTNAM physician's duty toward himself and towards his patient — a masterpiece of expository writing. His natural mental tendencies led him early toward philosophical inquiry. He was a close personal friend of the late Professors James (q. V.) and Royce and followed eagerly the re- cent philosophical movement as represented by Bergsen. His constant attempt during the later years was to bring into accord funda- mental philosophical conceptions and the prac- tical affairs of life. He believed that the psychoanalytic movement might help toward this end in spite of its incompleteness in that it failed to correlate the ultimate spiritual demand with the practical details of individual experience, and much of his later writing, as, for example, his book on "Human Motives," was concerned with the endeavor to bridge this gap. Dr. Putnam combined in unusual de- gree the mental qualities of the man of science and the philosopher. "Physics," he said, "can come to its rights only through metaphysics." Always keenly alive to the misfortunes of others, it was natural that he should have become one of the prime movers in the medical social service movement. From its inception he identified himself with its interests at the Massachusetts General Hospital, served on ns committees and through example and in more material ways advanced the cause in which he ardently believed. In this, as in all other good causes, he took his part with a modesty and self-abnegation which was a constant source of marvel to those who knew of his manifold activities. Like his late brother. Dr. Charles P. Putnam (q. v.), and other mem- bers of his family, he was a force for good in the community, that was the stronger because exerted in ways which avoided pub- licity and popular recognition. His mind was always open to new ideas ; he was almost childlike in his eagerness to see new light on old problems and to the very end he progressed and expanded. His liberality of thought was altogether admirable. With strong convic- tion on many subjects, he was peculiarly toler- ant of the opinions of others and always will- ing to absorb and incorporate with enthusiasm into his own theories the conclusions of his fellow workers. His really extraordinary modesty which in another might have appeared almost an affec- tation, made him, a charming and stimulating companion. His understanding sympathy with human difficulties and weaknesses brought to him many, who were not patients, for advice and admonition. How many he helped over hard places can never be known, but his death, while at the height of his activities, leaves behind the memory of a man indefatigable in good works which knew no abatement even iu the physical suffering of his last year. With his interest in the more serious affairs of life went an unusual capacity for the simpler pleasures. His Adirondack camp, which he shared for years with his friend, the late Dr. Henry P. Bowditch (q. v.), was a per- ennial source of interest, where from time to time he entertained many notable persons. He was accustomed always to spend the month of September in this Adirondack camp, even after establishing his summer house at Cotuit, on Cape Cod, where he sailed his boat and worked in his garden with unvarying enthu- siasm. He found it difficult, however, even in these periods of recreation, wholly to lay aside the problems which were always press- ing for solution, as attested by the book or article he carried with him and his tendency always to turn conversation into serious and profitable channels. The war, happily ended a few days after his death, was to him a matter of almost personal sorrow; his attitude toward it was characteristic; it was as if he felt himself in some way personally respon- sible for the misdeeds of his fellow-men and suffered accordingly. Dr. Putnam was in advance of his time. To such men adequate recognition, not always accorded in life, is_sure to come in increasing degree as the years lend just perspective to our view. It cannot be doubted that such will be the case with him. He lived through a period of medical and social unrest and did his full share towards the establishment of the new order, combining, as few men have, a wholehearted and impartial devotion to his family, to his profession and to the com- munity. Dr. Putnam married Marian Cabot, of Bos- ton, in 1886. They had several children. E. W. T.WLOR. Boston Med. and Surg. Jour., I91S, vol. clxxix, 812. Putnam, Sumner (1818-1887) Sumner Putnam was born February 21. 1818, in East Montpelier, Vermont, the son of Sylvanus and Lucinda Bancroft Putnam, a descendant in the sixth generation of John Putnam, who came from England in 1634 and settled in Danvers, Massachusetts. As a boy he went to the common schools and Montpelier Academy, afterwards studying medicine with Dr. Jared Bassett, of Plainfield. Vermont, and taking his medical degree from