Dr. Samuel Bard (1742-1821)

1st President of the U.S. College of Physicians & Surgeons

He was born in Philadelphia. He was educated at King's College, New York (Columbia) before spending five years in France, England and Scotland, graduating with his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh. He entered into practice with his father, Dr John Bard, at New York. During the Revolution the Bards were Loyalists and therefore kept a low profile, though ironically Samuel Bard is best remembered today for operating on - and saving the life of - George Washington (1732-1799) in his first term as President of the United States. He inherited his father's estate "Hyde Park" and built the first mansion on the estate precisely where the Vanderbilt Mansion stands today. A pioneering horticulturist, Samuel Bard quit his successful medical career in the city to move his family to his beloved Hyde Park where he became an innovative gentleman farmer. In 1799, he planted the Gingko tree on the south lawn as well as gardens, orchards and vineyards while experimenting with the cultivation of diverse European fruits in his greenhouses. He married his cousin and had eight children of whom four were lost in childhood to Scarlet Fever and only three reached adulthood: Mrs Susannah Johnston, William Bard, and Mrs Eliza McVickar.

Parents (2)

Dr. John Bard

of "Red House" Hyde Park, Dutchess County, New York

1716-1799

Suzanne Valleau

Mrs Suzanne (Valleau) Bard

1721-1784

Spouse (1)

Mary (Bard) Bard

Mrs Mary (Bard) Bard

1746-1821

Children (8)

Susannah (Bard) Johnston

Mrs "Susan" (Bard) Johnston

1772-1845

John Bard

John Bard, died in childhood of Scarlet Fever

1774-1783

Mary Bard

Mary Bard, died in childhood of Scarlet Fever

1776-1783

William Bard

President & Founder of the New York Life Insurance & Trust Co.

1778-1853

Harriet Bard

Harriet Bard, died in childhood of Scarlet Fever

1779-1783

Sarah Bard

Sarah Bard, died in childhood of Scarlet Fever

1781-1783

Harriet Bard

Harriet Bard, died in infancy

1786-1786

Eliza (Bard) McVickar

Mrs Eliza (Bard) McVickar

1789-1838

Associated Houses (1)

Vanderbilt Mansion

Hyde Park, New York

Image Courtesy of the Frick Art Reference Library
Image Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York J.675.151 Dr Samuel BARD, 1st president of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, pstl, 25.4x20.3; & pendant.