Elihu Hubbard Smith
Elihu Hubbard Smith was an influential eighteenth-century physician and writer, notable for his contributions to both medicine and literature. Born in Connecticut to Dr. Reuben Smith and Abigail Hubbard Smith, he exhibited exceptional intelligence, entering Yale University at the age of eleven and graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in 1786, becoming the youngest graduate in the institution's history. Smith's literary pursuits began during his college years, where he engaged with prominent figures like Noah Webster. After studying medicine under Dr. Benjamin Rush in Philadelphia, he returned to Connecticut to practice medicine while also contributing to periodicals.
In 1793, Smith edited the first American anthology of poems, "American Poems, Selected and Original," which became a significant cultural artifact of the time. His move to New York City led to the founding of "The Medical Repository," America's first medical journal, in collaboration with colleagues Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchell and Dr. Edward Miller. Additionally, Smith created the first comic opera in American theater, "Edwin and Angelina." Tragically, he died at the young age of twenty-seven after contracting yellow fever while caring for the sick during an outbreak in 1798. Smith's legacy lies in his dual impact on medical literature and the arts during a formative period in American history.
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Subject Terms
Elihu Hubbard Smith
Nonfiction Writer, Playwright and Poet
- Born: September 4, 1771
- Birthplace: Litchfield, Connecticut
- Died: September 19, 1798
Biography
Elihu Hubbard Smith, an eighteenth century physician and writer, was born in Connecticut to Dr. Reuben Smith and Abigail Hubbard Smith. He was of above normal intelligence and excelled in school quickly. At the age of eleven, he entered Yale University. In 1786, he earned his bachelor of arts degree, becoming, at the time, the youngest graduate in the history of Yale University. During his college years, Smith joined the literary society, Brothers in Unity, and developed an interest in writing literature. He obtained critiques on his writing from fellow society members, including Noah Webster and William Johnson.
In 1790, following in his father’s footsteps, Smith moved to Philadelphia, where he studied medicine under Dr. Benjamin Rush. After completing his medical studies, Smith returned to Connecticut, where he practiced medicine and continued to write. At this time, while maintaining his thriving medical practice, Smith contributed to several periodicals including the American Mercury and the Connecticut Current. In 1793, he edited the first Amercian anthology of poems titled American Poems, Selected and Original. This work contained the poetic works of over nineteen poets from across the nation. American Poems, Selected and Original proved to be an enormous historical asset in documenting eighteenth century literary development.
Also in 1793, Smith relocated permanently to New York City, where he obtained an affiliation with the public hospital. Smith formed a friendship with two hospital colleagues; Dr. Samuel Latham Mitchell, and Dr. Edward Miller. In 1797, in a collaborative effort, they founded America’s first medical journal, The Medical Repository. This journal appeared quarterly for over twenty-seven years and became the model for similar journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine. Smith was also credited with creating the first comic opera in the history of the American stage. This work, titled Edwin and Angelina, was performed in 1796 and published in written form in 1797.
While he enjoyed a successful literary career, Smith continued his dedication to practicing medicine. When yellow fever hit New York in 1798, Smith committed himself to nursing the sick and studying the disease in hopes of finding a cure. While caring for a sick friend, Smith contracted yellow fever and died. Elihu Hubbard Smith was twenty-seven years old at the time of his death.