John P. McGovern, MD Collection of Texas Historical Medical Documents

Dr. Ashbel Smith was a pioneer of medicine, diplomat, and a leader in the development of Texas. He has been called "the father of Texas medicine" and "the father of University of Texas." A close friend of Sam Houston, Dr. Smith was appointed by Houston as surgeon general of the Army of the Republic of Texas. During the devastating epidemic of yellow fever in Galveston in 1839, he treated the sick, published reports of the progress of the disease, and wrote the first treatise on yellow fever in Texas. (Texas State Historical Association: Smith, Ashbel)

Learn more about Dr. Ashbel Smith and his contributions to Texas medicine and politics.