Solomon Drowne Sees the Gaspee Go Down
Solomon Drowne was one of the premier doctors of the American Founding.
Drowne spent time as a Continental Army surgeon and a privateer.
Solomon Drowne
Solomon Drowne was a student at Brown University when he witnessed the Gaspee Affair.
The Gaspee Affair was the burning of a British ship that ran aground while enforcing unwanted British laws in 1772.
Drowne watched the event unfold from a dock in his home colony of Rhode Island.
Interestingly, Drowne wrote to his brother that he knew the conspirators that burned the ship.
This was extremely dangerous, as there was a reward out for these men. Acknowledging he knew these people without turning them min could have led to his arrest had his letter gotten intercepted.
War Surgeon
Drowne went on to attend Dartmouth before moving to the University of Pennsylvania where he obtained a Medical Degree.
Solomon went on to become one of the most respected doctors during the American Founding.
During this time, he served as a surgeon with the Continental Army for four years.
He left this position to sail on a privateer ship, caring for the men as they attacked British vessels and stole their riches in the name of the United States.
Europe
After the Revolutionary War came to a conclusion, Drowne travelled to Europe where he toured hospitals in several countries.
While in France, Solomon met with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
He returned home to assist in the creation of Brown University’s Medical Program.
Founding Around
Drowne moved around a lot during the 1790’s.
First he relocated to Ohio where he became a frontier doctor. Then, he spent a few years in Virginia before living as a resident of Pennsylvania for a brief period.
Solomon returned to Rhode Island about the time his old friend Thomas Jefferson became President of the United States.
He spent the last several decades of his life building his alma mater, Brown University.
In addition to lecturing as a professor and contributing to the medical department, Drowne create the college’s first botanical garden.
Here are some other REVOLUTIONARY RHODE ISLANDERS:
John Collins and the Sacrifice of Popularity for Union
Samuel Ward Sets Petty Issues Aside
Esek Hopkins - Commander of the Continental Navy
The Gaspee Affair was an extremely important part of the developing American Revolution.
‘Burning the Gaspee’ is a great look at this pivotal moment in US history.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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