White Marble Bust

James Jackson (1777-1867) received his A.B. from Harvard College in 1796 after attending the Boston Latin School. In 1799 he traveled abroad to London where he served at  St. Thomas’s Hospital, studying anatomy and learning the technique of vaccination.

Upon returning to Boston in 1800, Dr. Jackson “began business”, attracting many clients because of his newfound expertise with vaccination. He also became the first person in America to investigate the technique in a scientific manner. In 1802 he was appointed physician to the Boston Dispensary, despite receiving his M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1809 after finishing his last remaining classes and having his thesis finally approved.

Along with his close friend John Collins Warren, Dr. Jackson was instrumental in Harvard Medical School’s move from Cambridge to Boston, and the raising of funds for the 1821 opening of the Massachusetts General Hospital. At the beginning of the 19th century, Boston did not have a hospital for the treatment of general disease, despite the fact that there were such institutions in New York City and Philadelphia. On August 20, 1810, a circular-letter was prepared by Dr. Jackson and Dr. Warren. The letter was addressed to Boston's most influential citizens and was intended to awaken in their minds an interest in creating a new hospital to serve the city. In 1811, the Massachusetts legislature granted a charter for the incorporation of the MGH. The following year, Dr. Jackson and Dr. Warren established the now famous New England Journal of Medicine. 

Dr. Jackson became the first professor of clinical medicine at Harvard Medical School. From 1812 to 1836,  Dr. Jackson held the title of Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic, and from 1820 to 1821 he served as the Dean.  He was named Professor Emeritus in 1836.  At the MGH, Dr. Jackson served time as Chief Physician, and the dates of his total service were from 1817 to 1837.

“When in distress, every man becomes our neighbor.”- Doctors Warren and Jackson (1810)

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