Cornelius Rea Agnew
Encyclopedia
Cornelius Rea Agnew was an American
physician
.
Agnew was born in New York City
, the son of William Agnew and Elizabeth Thompson Agnew. He graduated from Columbia College
in 1849, and from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
in 1852. That same year, he was appointed surgeon-general of New York State. He began to practice medicine in 1854, and served as a surgeon at the Ear and Eye Infirmary in New York City from 1855 through 1864. In 1856, he married Mary Nash.
During the American Civil War
, he was medical director of the New York Volunteer Hospital, treating wounded soldiers from the Union army
. He was prominent in the United States Sanitary Commission
, which administered supplies and medical assistance to the field armies.
After the war, he assisted in establishing the Columbia School of Mines in 1864. he then founded the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital in 1868 and the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital
in 1869. He served as a professor of diseases of the eye and ear through 1888, when he died in New York City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
.
Agnew was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the son of William Agnew and Elizabeth Thompson Agnew. He graduated from Columbia College
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in 1849, and from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, often known as P&S, is a graduate school of Columbia University that is located on the health sciences campus in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan...
in 1852. That same year, he was appointed surgeon-general of New York State. He began to practice medicine in 1854, and served as a surgeon at the Ear and Eye Infirmary in New York City from 1855 through 1864. In 1856, he married Mary Nash.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he was medical director of the New York Volunteer Hospital, treating wounded soldiers from the Union army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He was prominent in the United States Sanitary Commission
United States Sanitary Commission
The United States Sanitary Commission was a private relief agency created by federal legislation on June 18, 1861, to support sick and wounded soldiers of the U.S. Army during the American Civil War. It operated across the North, raised its own funds, and enlisted thousands of volunteers...
, which administered supplies and medical assistance to the field armies.
After the war, he assisted in establishing the Columbia School of Mines in 1864. he then founded the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital in 1868 and the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital
Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital
Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital is a specialty hospital in New York City that was founded in 1869 and is currently located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 210th East 64th Street...
in 1869. He served as a professor of diseases of the eye and ear through 1888, when he died in New York City.