In the summer of 1800 the celebrated Philadelphia physician, Benjamin Rush, who had written so voluminously for the health, political advancement and general welfare of his fellow men, began the composition of a document intended for his own private satisfaction and for the edification of his family. Looking back upon the 54 years of his active and exciting life, he recalled many great national events that he had seen and taken part in, many actions of his own that he wished his sons and daughters to remember with pride, and not a few that he felt he must explain and justify. Memories came crowding upon him of his student days and his years of practice, of the Revolution, of his brief and bitter fight for reform of the military hospitals, of the great epidemic of 1793, of work and quarrels, great friendships and hard-won honors. - Introduction.

"Now first printed in full from the original manuscripts in possession of TheAmerican Philosophical Society and the Library Company of Philadelphia."

Introduction -- Travels through life. Ancestry and parentage -- School and college -- Medical apprenticeship and study abroad -- Life as physician in Philadelphia -- Political and military events and observations -- Physician General in Washington's army -- Characters of the revolutionary patriots -- Public pursuits -- Religious principles ; domestic events -- Commonplace book, 1789-1791 (memorable facts, events, opinions, thoughts, &c.) -- Commonplace book, 1792-1813. General entries -- Facts on natural knowledge -- Singular and useful facts -- Deaths of persons of note or singular character -- Deaths -- Instructing conversations -- Extracts from books -- Thoughts on religion -- Notes for lectures -- A dream -- Appendices. Rush's medical theories -- Background of the speculation of 1791-1792 -- The children of Benjamin and Julia Rush -- The litigation over William Bradford's estate.