Dr John Beale Davidge

Birth: 1768 Annapolis Anne Arundel County Maryland, USA Death: Aug. 23, 1829 Baltimore City Maryland, USA

A book written in 1891 about the University of Maryland School of Medicine says that Dr. Davidge was buried in Loudon Park Cemetery. However, the cemetery didn't open until 14 July 1853. Removals to Loudon Park Cemetery were made from other cemeteries.

Dr. John Beale Davidge, AM, was the son of an ex-captain in the British Army and Honor (Howard) Davidge.

Dr. Davidge [1st] married Wilhelmina Hathorn (Stewart) Davidge (died 1818) on 25 July 1793. She was of the Firth of Solway, which is on the dividing line between England and Scotland. Wilhelmina was several years older than Dr. Davidge.

Dr. Davidge [2nd] married Rebecca (Troup) Polk, the widow of Josiah Polk (1773-1814), on 26 Aug 1819.

In 1807 following an act of the Maryland government, John Beale Davidge and his colleagues established the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

In Jan 1829, Dr. Davidge was attacked with a malignant growth of the face which compelled him to give up his anatomical lectures. The tumor, which originated in the antrum of Highmore and was spoken of as a "fungus of the antrum," developed rapidly and was accompanied by the most excruciating pain, from which he could only obtain partial relief by enormous doses—a wineglassful—of laudanum. He bore his sufferings with great fortitude, finding comfort in the consolation and promises of his religion. Twice during the brief career of his disease he was taken to Philadelphia to consult the learned Physick, who, however, could do nothing for him.

Dr. Davidge died at his home on Lexington Street. He left a son by his first marriage and three daughters by his second. He was a member of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church

Davidge Hall at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is named after him. It remains the oldest building in this hemisphere continually used for medical education.