Updated Historical Marker Text

Dr. William Brown, born in Scotland and raised in Maryland, was a pioneer of his time through and through. William Brown's achievements in education, service in the Continental Army, attainment of federal public health positions, and honorary acknowledgements from Congress, he was a one-of-a-kind, exceptional individual known readily by his accomplishments. 

In 1770, William Brown had earned his Doctor of Medicine medical degree (M.D.) in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. After receiving his degree, he settled in Alexandria, Virginia, at which point he began to acquire a professional standing among a plethora of people, even having amicable relationships with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other founding fathers of the time. His patriotic zeal came demonstrated in 1776, when Dr. William Brown entered the Continental Army as a surgeon assigned to the Virginia regiment of Colonel Woodford. Demonstrating himself in his previous position, on September 20th, 1776, William Brown was made assistant to Dr. Shippen, the Chief Surgeon of the Flying Camp formation of the Continental Army, all at the age of just 28. Improving his reputation to a higher extent, in 1777, the Medical Department was reevaluated, and Dr. William Brown was appointed, by Congress, to become the Surgeon General of the Eastern Department. His next promotion, on January 3rd, 1778, William Brown was elected Physician General of the Eastern Department; he had succeeded Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Founding Father and leading American physician at the time, also known as the "The Pennsylvania Hippocrates".

During the Winter of 1777-1778, William Brown was in charge of a number of hospitals in Pennsylvania and Lititz, his headquarters being at the Brethren House. While at the Bethren House, he wrote and published one of his most well-known works, the "Lititz Pharmacopoeia" or in Latin, "Pharmacopoeia simpliciorum et efficaciorum". The Latin title translates to "A Simple and Effective Pharmacopoeia", which provides evidence towards uncovering the significance and context of this work. At this time in history, there were approximately 3,500 doctors in America and of those doctors, many lacked any kind of formal training. Beyond there being a significant lack of formal training among the American physician population, it was very possible for even an experienced physician to not possess specific treatment knowledge to a particular ailment.

Here lies the significance of William Brown and his Lititz Pharmacopoeia. "The Simple and Effective Pharmacopoeia" was meant to be a practical handbook for physicians, written in the universal language of science (Latin), designed as the foundation for standardized care, serving his community and the field of medicine all at a time when doctors had lacked formal scholarship and training. 

Dr. William Brown had accumulated his own medical knowledge throughout his lifetime via both elite educational and administrative experiences. He had received his Doctor of Medicine degree at The University of Edinburgh Medical School (est. 1726). Next, his own practice in Alexandria, Virginia provided Dr. William Brown with an opportunity to practice his formal knowledge and cultivate his experience as a medical doctor. Brown's prowess did not go unnoticed, as his reputation tremendously increased among the ranks of well-known figures at the time. This gain in reputation had led to his further practicing of medicine at higher and more demanding levels of practice. Throughout his administrative positions in the Continental Army, Dr. Brown had gained much experience and performed under much pressure of his duties. This continuous rise in reputation, position, and responsibility led to an unequivocal advancement in his knowledge as a physician and administrative health general. All of William Brown's scholastic excellence was practically culminated into his most contributing work, the "Pharmacopoeia simpliciorum et efficaciorum". Dr. William Brown, M.D. was a pioneer, public servant, and scholastic titan. May his accomplishments and dedications to the advancement of medicine be recognized for years to come. 

By Ivan Zabello