William Patton Thornton Explained

Dr. William Patton Thornton (February 6, 1817  - October 10, 1883) was a physician, educator, author, and politician.

Education and career

Thorton graduated from Kemper's Medical College in St. Louis and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.^[1] After graduation he spent five years in Houston, Mississippi, where he began to specialize in diseases of the trachea and larynx.^[2]

In 1847, Thornton returned to Ohio and established a practice.^[3] He began a long affiliation with the Cincinnati Hospital and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he was chair of the Anatomy and Physiology Department.^[4] Thornton published papers^[5] on cholera^[6] and laryngology.

After retiring from practice in 1877, Thornton served as mayor of College Hill, Ohio, until his death. He was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Family

In 1841, William Thornton married Electa Bacon in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was cousin to Samuel W. Thornton and James Johnston Thornton.

Notes and References

1. Juettner, Otto. Daniel Drake and his Followers: Harvey Publishing Company, 1909 (pg. 311).
2. Appleton’s Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events. D. Appleton & Co., 1877.
3. The Lancet-clinic. Mississippi Valley Medical Association; Ohio Valley Medical Association, 1916 (pg. 243).
4. The Cincinnati Medical and Surgical News, v. 2 1861 (pg. 208-9)
5. See Footnote 3
6. The Cholera Epidemic of 1873 in the United States. United States Surgeon General’s Office, G.P.O., 1875.