Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Date of Birth: August 29, 1809

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: October 7, 1894

Biography

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. was an esteemed American physician, poet, and polymath, born on August 29, 1809, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was a leading figure in the literary and intellectual circles of 19th-century America, contributing significantly to both literature and medicine. He graduated from Harvard College in 1829 and later from Harvard Medical School in 1836. Holmes was a professor of anatomy and physiology at Dartmouth College and later at Harvard Medical School, where he made notable contributions to the understanding of puerperal fever. Holmes is widely known for his “Breakfast-Table” series, which includes “The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table,” a collection of essays originally published in The Atlantic Monthly. He also wrote numerous poems, most famously “Old Ironsides,” which helped prevent the scrapping of the USS Constitution. His works are characterized by their wit, charm, and insight into human nature. Holmes remained an influential figure until his death on October 7, 1894.

5 Interesting Facts about Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

1. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. coined the term “anesthesia” and advocated for its use in medical procedures.

2. He was one of the founders of The Atlantic Monthly, a leading American literary magazine.

3. Holmes wrote the poem “Old Ironsides” in 1830, which played a significant role in saving the USS Constitution from being decommissioned.

4. He was the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., who became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

5. Holmes’ interest in medicine and literature was reflected in his dual career as both a physician and a writer.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

1. “The best part of happiness is the pines.”

2. “A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.”

3. “The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.”

4. “Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening.”

5. “To be seventy years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be forty years old.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. did not achieve significant financial wealth from his literary work, and his net worth was modest. His highest net worth is not well-documented, but his contributions to literature and medicine were invaluable.

Children

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. had three children with his wife, Amelia Lee Jackson: 1. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) – He became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. 2. Amelia Jackson Holmes (1843–1889) – Not much is widely known about her. 3. Edward Jackson Holmes (1846–1884) – He pursued a career in law.