From Benjamin Franklin to William Cullen, 17 September 1760
To William Cullen2
LS: American Philosophical Society
London, Sept. 17, 1760
Dear Sir
I beg leave to recommend to your Notice the Bearer Mr. Shippen,3 who intends to reside some Time in Edinburgh for his Improvement in Physick and Surgery. He is the Son of a particular Friend of mine in Philadelphia, and bears himself the Character of an ingenious sober and discreet young Man, which persuades me that any Countenance you may show him will not be misplac’d. I suppose he would gladly obtain a Degree with you, if the Time of Residence requir’d will not make that impracticable. If after some Time you find him otherwise worthy that Honour, I beg for him your friendly Advice and Assistance in furthering his Desires.
With the greatest Esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient, and most humble Servant,
B Franklin
Dr. Cullen.
2. On William Cullen, professor of chemistry at Edinburgh, see above, VII, 184 n.
3. William Shippen, Jr. (1736–1817), son of Dr. William Shippen (above, III, 428 n), and nephew of Edward Shippen “of Lancaster” (above, V, 195 n). He graduated from the College of New Jersey, 1754, studied medicine in London, then in Edinburgh, where he took his M.D. in 1761, presenting a copy of his thesis, De Placentae cum Utero Nexu, to BF. Later he became chief of the medical department of the Continental Army and a founder of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. DAB; Betsy C. Corner, William Shippen, Jr. Pioneer in American Medical Education A Biographical Essay (Phila., 1951).