Samuel Theobald
Encyclopedia
Samuel Theobald was a clinical professor of ophthalmology
and otology
at Johns Hopkins University Medical School.
Theobald was born in Baltimore, the son of Elisha Warfield Theobald and his wife Sarah Frances Smith. The elder Theobald was a medical doctor, as was Samuel's older brother, Elisha Warfield, Jr. (see Smith-Theobald Family
). Theobald's father died in 1851 so he was largely raised in the home of his grandfather, the surgeon Nathan Ryno Smith
. Theobald had an uncle (one of N. R. Smith's sons) who was a demonstrator in anatomy at the University of Maryland
as well, but this uncle died in 1859.
Theobald completed his MD at the University of Maryland in 1867. About this time, Theobald married Caroline Dexter DeWolf. He then went to study ophthalmology in London and Vienna and otology in Vienna. Among other professors, Theobald studied under Jonathan Hutchinson
and Soelberg Wells.
In 1871 Theobald returned to Baltimore to practice these disciplines. In 1882 he was one of the founders of the Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital. In 1889 when the Johns Hopkins Hospital
was opened Theobald was one of its original staff physicians. In 1893 when the Johns Hopkins Medical School opened, Theobald was a faculty member.
Theobald also contributed to the development of Theobald lacrimal probes and introduced the use of boric acid in the profession. Theobald wrote Prevalent Disease of the Eye. He served as the 14th President of the American Ophthalmological Society.
Theobald became emeritus in 1925, the same year that the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute was founded at Johns Hopkins.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
and otology
Otology
Otology is a branch of biomedicine which studies normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear as well as its diseases, diagnosis and treatment....
at Johns Hopkins University Medical School.
Theobald was born in Baltimore, the son of Elisha Warfield Theobald and his wife Sarah Frances Smith. The elder Theobald was a medical doctor, as was Samuel's older brother, Elisha Warfield, Jr. (see Smith-Theobald Family
Smith-Theobald Family
The Smith-Theobald Family was one of the most prominent families in the history of American medicine.Nathan Smith was the first member of the family to be a surgeon. He founded or taught at the medical schools of Dartmouth College, the University of Vermont and Yale University.Nathan had four...
). Theobald's father died in 1851 so he was largely raised in the home of his grandfather, the surgeon Nathan Ryno Smith
Nathan Ryno Smith
Nathan Ryno Smith was an American surgeon and medical school professor.Smith was born in Cornish, New Hampshire. He was the son of Sarah Hall Chase and Nathan Smith. Like his father Smith went into the medical profession, but he went to Yale instead of Harvard, receiving his MD in 1820...
. Theobald had an uncle (one of N. R. Smith's sons) who was a demonstrator in anatomy at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, Baltimore
University of Maryland, Baltimore, was founded in 1807. It comprises some of the oldest professional schools in the nation and world. It is the original campus of the University System of Maryland. Located on 60 acres in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, it is part of the University System of Maryland...
as well, but this uncle died in 1859.
Theobald completed his MD at the University of Maryland in 1867. About this time, Theobald married Caroline Dexter DeWolf. He then went to study ophthalmology in London and Vienna and otology in Vienna. Among other professors, Theobald studied under Jonathan Hutchinson
Jonathan Hutchinson
Sir Jonathan Hutchinson , was an English surgeon, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, venereologist and pathologist.-Life:He was born in Selby, Yorkshire, England of Quaker parents and educated in the local school...
and Soelberg Wells.
In 1871 Theobald returned to Baltimore to practice these disciplines. In 1882 he was one of the founders of the Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat Charity Hospital. In 1889 when the Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital is the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, located in Baltimore, Maryland . It was founded using money from a bequest by philanthropist Johns Hopkins...
was opened Theobald was one of its original staff physicians. In 1893 when the Johns Hopkins Medical School opened, Theobald was a faculty member.
Theobald also contributed to the development of Theobald lacrimal probes and introduced the use of boric acid in the profession. Theobald wrote Prevalent Disease of the Eye. He served as the 14th President of the American Ophthalmological Society.
Theobald became emeritus in 1925, the same year that the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute was founded at Johns Hopkins.