Portrait of Roswell Pettibone Flower, currently on display.
Roswell Pettibone Flower (1835-1899) was the 33rd governor of New York and the co-founder of Flower Free Surgical Hospital. His contributions allowed NYMC students a setting to engage in clinical practice.
A portrait of former New York Governor Roswell Pettibone Flower is on display in the reception area of Sunshine Cottage.
Birth: August 7, 1835
Death: May 12, 1899
At New York Medical College:
Roswell Pettibone Flower (1835-1899) served as the 33rd governor of New York. During his time in office, he and his brother founded the Flower Free Surgical Hospital as an affiliate of the New York Medical College.
He was born and raised in New York State, the sixth of nine children. He worked as a teacher, clerk, banker, and deputy postmaster in Watertown, New York. He served as the chair of a county committee before being elected to congress in 1881. Later, he was elected to the position of Governor of New York, taking office on January 1st, 1892. He continued to be a prominent political figure throughout his life.
While he did remove himself from any conflicts of interest related to his various business ventures, he had already amassed a significant sum of wealth. He used this money to contribute to a number of charitable causes, including the construction and establishment of Flower Free Surgical Hospital in affiliation with the New York Medical College.
The hospital was established for the purpose of providing a place for medical students to learn and practice surgery. Former Governor Flower placed the cornerstone for the hospital on October 20th, 1888. In the speech he gave at the laying of said cornerstone for Flower Free Surgical Hospital, he expressed the importance of charity and financial equality. He stated that he was happy to donate to the establishment of a hospital for the medical college to use, so that people might be brought together, regardless of economic status.
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