William Maclay Awl

Politician, Surgeon

1799 – 1876

 Credit ยป
83

Who was William Maclay Awl?

William Maclay Awl was an alienist, a politician and a mental health hospital administrator.

He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Mary Awl and lawyer and Senator Samuel Awl. He studied basic medical concepts under a local physician. At age 20 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. Failing to graduate, he began a temporary practice in his hometown, specializing in anatomy and surgery, but later accompanied a knapsacker to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1826. In 1830 he married Rebecca Loughey. He then practiced his profession in many towns within Ohio, but finally settled in Columbus, Ohio, in 1833 where he stayed for the rest of his life. He was the first surgeon west of the Allegheny Mountains to tie the left Common carotid artery.;.

In Columbus he quickly specialized in treating mental disorders and management of people suffering from insanity. He was once stated that if he could fix his eyes on those of even the most violent lunatic he could control him without difficulty, an accomplishment which he succeeded in doing several times. He was a common witness in court to cases of doubtful insanity. Both he and Marmaduke B.

We need you!

Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web!

Born
May 24, 1799
Harrisburg
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Lived in
  • Columbus
  • Ohio
  • Harrisburg
Died
Nov 19, 1876

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

Use the citation below to add to a bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"William Maclay Awl." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/william_maclay_awl>.

Discuss this William Maclay Awl biography with the community:

0 Comments

    Browse Biographies.net