William S. Forbes

Physician, Deceased Person

1831 – 1905

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Who was William S. Forbes?

William Smith Forbes was an American physician who served as demonstrator of anatomy at Jefferson Medical College. He is known as the "Father of the Anatomical Act" in Pennsylvania.

Born in Falmouth, Virginia, Forbes graduated with a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1852.

In 1882, he was indicted on eight counts by a grand jury "for complicity with resurrectionists in the despoliation of graves in Lebanon Cemetery."

Forbes also brought suit against the executors of the estate of Robert Lenox Kennedy to recover $5,000 after he accompanied Kennedy to Europe as his physician, where the family said it was as a friend. The New York Supreme court sided with the Kennedy family.

Forbes is the subject of the 1905 painting Portrait of Professor William S. Forbes by Thomas Eakins.

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Born
Feb 10, 1831
Falmouth
Also known as
  • William Forbes
  • William Smith Forbes
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Died
Dec 17, 1905

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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