Benjamin Rush: The Common Good

Heroes of History

by Janet Benge

Ben thought about the strange course of events that had led him to this point in his life. He had considered being a lawyer but had ended up becoming a doctor, and now he was also a politician and member of the Continental Congress. Ben had never thought of working with the army. But for now, that was what he was doing. He wondered if he too might be called to die for the new country they were trying to forge. Filled with intelligence and devotion, Benjamin Rush eagerly took up numerous roles as a physician, surgeon general in the army, politician, educator, and writer. A signer of the Declaration of Independence and close friend of John Adams, he made lasting contributions to American society. Born in Pennsylvania, Rush studied medicine with some of the greatest doctors in America and Europe. He was outspoken about improving the conditions and treatment of wounded soldiers and was a lifelong champion of medical care for the poor and freedom for slaves, becoming one of the greatest American physicians and social reformers in history (1746-1813). Pages: 192 (paperback) Ages: 10 +

187 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2018

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Benjamin Rush was an accomplished man. He was a medical doctor, a founding father to the country, and surgeon general to Washington’s army. He was socially well connected and became a civic leader in Philadelphia. He had some correct ideas about the mentally ill and was thought to be the father of psychiatry. This, and much more. An interesting man and life.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting man.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for this biography. I thought it was boring as the day is long. Benjamin Rush was a great thinker and a man of the mind, but he didn't seem to do much other than be in certain places at certain times to deal with much more interesting people. I was more interested in Dr. Shippen, the man stealing from the Continental Army, and relation to Benedict Arnold. I'm sure Rush did a bunch to help the new county, but this didn't make it seem all that exciting.

On top of that, each chapter is like 15 pages long. It takes forever to read aloud.

This was the weakest of the biographies we've read so far.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accurate history. Just a bit dry compared to the ones we have read about missionaries from the same authors. Still good just not as page turning as the others.