Johns Hopkins: A Silhouette

About this book

Helen Hopkins Thomgranddaughter of Johns Hopkinss older brother Josephbegan collecting material for this portrait when it was possible to talk to people who had actually known the founder of the Johns Hopkins University. Her research became of vital importance when it was discovered that Hopkins himselfowing to a deep sense of humilityhad destroyed virtually all of his papers before he died in 1873. First published in 1929 this biography still stands as the authoritative account of Hopkinss life his business career and the motives that lay behind his decision to leave his fortune to establish a university and hospital. Thom tells the story of Johns Hopkinss family including the origin of his unusual first name (originally the surname of his great-grandmother). She traces his life from his childhood on the family tobacco plantation to his rise as a merchant and banker who became the largest stockholder of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Thom portrays a man of principlean abolitionist and Union supporter in a divided citywho found himself at odds with his Quaker faith. He disagreed with them about temperance trading in whiskey and enjoying fine wine and champagne. Forbidden to marry the only woman he ever lovedhis first cousin Elizabethhe remained a lifelong bachelor. Johns Hopkins died of pneumonia at the age of 78 on December 24 1873. This volume includes his will and instructions to the trustees in which he articulated his wishes for a school of medicine a university press an orphanage and a school of nursing. Among his stipulations was that the hospital treat anyone regardless of race sex age or ability to pay. This reissued edition brings this compelling portrait to a new generation of readers.