Rufus Henry Gilbert
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Rufus Henry Gilbert | |
|---|---|
| File:Surg. R.H. Gilbert LOC cwpb.06603 (cropped).jpg Gilbert in uniform | |
| Born | January 26, 1832 Guilford, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 10, 1885 (aged 53) New York City, U.S. |
| Parent | William Dwight Gilbert |
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Rufus Henry Gilbert (January 26, 1832 – July 10, 1885) was an American surgeon and inventor, who worked on rapid transit in New York City.
Early life
[edit | edit source]Rufus Henry Gilbert was born in Guilford, New York on January 26, 1832. Gilbert was the son of William Dwight Gilbert, a county judge in Steuben County, New York.[1][citation needed]
Career
[edit | edit source]Medical career
[edit | edit source]Gilbert studied at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated to become a physician and surgeon.[2] During his time in New York City, Gilbert became concerned with the cramped and overly centralized living conditions of the working class, seeing this as a major public health hazard, and began thinking about urban rapid transit as the key to provision of more sanitary living conditions.[2]
During the American Civil War, he joined the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry as a surgeon, performing the first surgical procedure during the war at the Battle of Big Bethel.[2] He was brevetted lieutenant colonel in 1865.[3] He eventually became medical director and superintendent of the United States Army Hospitals.[2]
Rapid transit visionary
[edit | edit source]
Towards the end of the war, Gilbert's own medical issues prevented him from a further career in this field.[citation needed] Gilbert subsequently became Superintendent of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he worked on developing rapid transport in the New York City area.[2]
In 1870 Gilbert obtained a patent for an elevated railway using the principle of pneumatics.[2] Gilbert incorporated a company known as the Gilbert Elevated Railway Company but had difficulty obtaining adequate financing for the venture.[2] Ultimately Gilbert was forced to surrender control of the company to the New York Loan and Improvement Company in order to obtain sufficient capital.[2] The company constructed the Sixth Avenue road, known as Gilbert Elevated Railroad, which opened in 1878.[2] Gilbert was forced out of the company by his partners soon after the road opened, however, effectively ending his career.[2]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Gilbert married Miss Maynard, a daughter of judge John Maynard. He later married Miss Price, daughter of J. W. Price, of New York City.[1]
Gilbert died on July 10, 1885, at his home on West 73rd Street in New York City.[1]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c "Death of Rufus H. Gilbert: He Breathes His Last Unattended by Relatives or Friends," New York Times, July 11, 1885.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j William D. Middleton, Metropolitan Railways: Rapid Transit in America. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2003; pg. 17.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).Open access icon
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
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