Details:

Benjamin Waterhouse autographed three-page handwritten letter, penned and signed in ink, addressed to Elbridge Gerry, then Governor of Massachusetts and future Vice President of the United States. The letter concerns matters of public policy, institutional authority, and professional governance, reflecting Waterhouse’s deep involvement in early American medical and civic reform.

Written during a period of intense debate over medical institutions and public health authority, Waterhouse discusses the balance of power between governing bodies, the regulation of professional societies, and the role of education and oversight in safeguarding the public good. The content is thoughtful and detailed, offering a firsthand perspective from one of the most influential medical voices in early American history addressing a senior political figure at the state level.

The letter spans three pages, exhibiting expected age-related wear including toning, scattered foxing, fold lines, edge wear, and areas of paper loss.

Benjamin Waterhouse (1754–1846) was a pioneering American physician best known for introducing the smallpox vaccine to the United States after studying medicine in Europe. A professor at Harvard Medical School, Waterhouse was a fierce advocate for vaccination and public health reform at a time when such ideas were controversial. His efforts laid foundational groundwork for preventive medicine in America, and his writings and correspondence provide critical insight into the intersection of science, education, and government in the early republic.

Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814) was a Founding Father of the United States, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Massachusetts, and the fifth Vice President of the United States under James Madison. Gerry is historically remembered for the term “gerrymandering,” which originated from a redistricting plan enacted during his governorship. Despite this legacy, Gerry was a deeply committed public servant whose career spanned the Revolutionary era through the early years of the republic, playing a central role in shaping American political institutions.

A substantial and intellectually rich piece linking early American medicine, governance, and reform.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

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Reference sku: 11500 1414361-1