In 1708, a Scottish physician was unexpectedly left behind in Maryland. From that moment, Dr. Gustavus Brown built a legacy of medical excellence that would span generations—linking the Brown family to early American history, public leadership, and the foundations of professional medicine.
On a raw December day in 1799, as snow fell across Maryland and Virginia, a lone rider carried an urgent message from Mount Vernon. General George Washington was gravely ill—and Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown had been summoned.
By nightfall, Dr. Brown stood at the bedside of the nation’s first president, offering his skill, judgment, and presence at the final moment of American history’s most consequential life.
Why Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown Matters
Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown was more than a physician. He was a trusted counselor, a respected professional, and a man whose reputation reached the highest levels of early American society.
Chosen personally by Martha Washington, Dr. Brown joined the small circle of physicians called to Mount Vernon during George Washington’s final illness. His presence reflected not ambition, but trust—earned through years of disciplined practice and principled service.
At a time when medicine was as much judgment as science, Dr. Brown represented the very best of his profession.
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Preserving the heritage of Southern Maryland
