Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Residence of General William Brown, M.D.
Born 1748. Died 1792.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 2, 2014
1. Residence of General William Brown, M.D. Marker
Physician General and Director of Hospitals, Middle Department, Continental Army, Charter member, Society of the Cincinnati. Author of the first American Pharmacopoea. President of Board of Trustees of Alexandria Academy, at General Washington's request. Personal physician for many years and intimate friend of General George Washington, who visited in this house.
by his descendants.
Inscription by War Department
The Washington Society,
June 14, 1931.
Erected 1931 by the descendants of William Brown.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Man-Made Features • Science & Medicine • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1931.
Location. 38° 48.175′ N, 77° 2.566′ W. Marker is in Alexandria, Virginia. It is in Old Town. Marker is on South Fairfax Street south of Prince Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 South Fairfax, Alexandria VA 22314, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Green & Brother Furniture (a few steps from
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. William Brown
The Historic American Building Survey gives this short biography of William Brown: "Dr. William Brown was a nephew of Dr. Gustavus Brown who attended Washington during his last illness. Dr. William Brown was appointed by General Washington, Physician-General and Director of Hospitals for the Continental Army. He wrote and published the first American Pharmacopoeia in 1778. Washington's accounts show that he lived for a few years in the General's Town House, the sum owed for rent being cancelled due to advances made by the Doctor
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 2, 2014
2. Residence of General William Brown, M.D. Marker
— Submitted February 15, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
2. The Pharmacopoeia
The Historical Introduction to the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, Volume 9, 1916 says this: "In 1778 there was published at Philadelphia a small Pharmacopoeia for the use of the Military Hospital of the U.S. Army located at Lititz, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvannia, under the title: 'Pharmacopoeia simpliciorum et efficaciorum, in usum nosocomii militaris, ad exercitun foederatarum Americae: civitatum pertinentis; bodiernae nostrae inopiae rerumque angustiis, feroci hostium saevitiae, , belloque crudeliex inopinato patrirae nostrae illato debitis, maxime accommodata.' A second edition of this appeared in 1781, on the title-page of which Dr. William Brown is mentioned as author."
— Submitted February 15, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 2, 2014
3. Residence of General William Brown, M.D.
Historical American Buildings Survey
4. Interior -- 212 South Fairfax, VA-466
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, February 2, 2014
5. The Front Door
Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,060 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 15, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
