Thomas Lawson (August 29, 1789 – May 15, 1861) was an American physician who served as

Surgeon General of the United States Army The Surgeon General of the United States Army is the senior-most officer of the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD). By policy, the Surgeon General (TSG) serves as Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) as well as head of the ...

for over 24 years.

Biography

Lawson was born in

Princess Anne County, Virginia County of Princess Anne is a former county in the British Colony of Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States, first incorporated in 1691. The county was merged into the city of Virginia Beach on January 1, 1963, ceasing to ...

in 1789. Nothing is known about his early education or medical education, but it is assumed that he trained under local physicians. He entered the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

as a surgeon's mate in March 1809. He resigned two years later to be appointed as a garrison surgeon's mate in the army. Lawson served during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

as he was promoted to be the regimental surgeon for the 6th Infantry on May 21, 1813. In May 1815 he became the surgeon for the 7th Infantry, and appeared as a senior officer of surgeons until he was promoted to Surgeon General in October 1836. During his time with the 6th Infantry he was President of a board of medical examiners in charge of giving troops entrance and promotion health examinations. With troops concentrated around his garrison for the

Seminole War The Seminole Wars (also known as the Florida Wars) were three related military conflicts in Florida between the United States and the Seminole, citizens of a Native American nation which formed in the region during the early 1700s. Hostilities ...

, he was appointed the medical director of

Fort Mitchell, Alabama Fort Mitchell is an unincorporated community in Russell County, Alabama, United States. The settlement developed around a garrisoned fort intended to provide defense for the area during the Creek War (1813–14). Fort Mitchell is about 10 miles ...

. In 1836 Surgeon General

Joseph Lovell Dr. Joseph Lovell (December 22, 1788 – October 17, 1836) was the 8th Surgeon General of the United States Army, (April 18, 1818 – October 17, 1836), Family He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of James S. and Deborah (Gorham) Lovel ...

died. A movement to promote a civilian doctor to the post was opposed by the army who were in full support of Lawson. He was appointed on November 30, 1836 by President

Jackson Jackson may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jackson (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the surname or given name Places Australia * Jackson, Queensland, a town in the Maranoa Region * Jackson North, Qu ...

. After the Seminole War there were few activities needing the attention of the Surgeon General, but Lawson worked to create many changes within the medical department of the military. Improvements included an increase in numbers, new uniforms, military rank and increased pay. During the

Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the (''United States intervention in Mexico''), was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It followed the 1 ...

Lawson accompanied General

Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861, taking part in the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the early s ...

from Vera Cruz to

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...

as a medical advisor. The first three volumes of ''Army Medical Statistics'' were published during Lawson's tenure. Lawson received a

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

promotion to

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

in May 1848. Lawson also worked to grant military rank to surgeons, resulting in the passage of an 1847 act to this effect. At the start of the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

, Lawson was 72 and in poor health. The medical staff for the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

consisted of 30 surgeons, 83 assistant surgeons, and the office of the Surgeon General itself. On May 15, 1861, he was stricken with

apoplexy Apoplexy () is rupture of an internal organ and the accompanying symptoms. The term formerly referred to what is now called a stroke. Nowadays, health care professionals do not use the term, but instead specify the anatomic location of the bleedi ...

and died in Norfolk, Virginia.

References

*http://history.amedd.army.mil/surgeongenerals/T_Lawson.html *Gillett MC. ''Thomas Lawson, second Surgeon General of the U. S. Army: a character sketch''. Prologue J Natl Arch. 1982 Spring;14(1):15–24.

Sources Cited

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawson, Thomas 1789 births 1861 deaths Surgeons General of the United States Army People from Virginia Beach, Virginia United States Army personnel of the War of 1812 American military personnel of the Mexican–American War United States Navy Medical Corps officers