Harris, Tucker, 1747-1821

Tucker Harris was born in Charleston, S.C. in 1747. He studied under Lionel Chalmers, and in 1768 he traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland to study medicine. After returning to Charleston, Dr. Harris practiced medicine under the guidance of Dr. Chalmers, and entered into his own practice after Dr. Chalmers died. During the American Revolution, Dr. Harris served as both field surgeon and surgeon in the Continental Hospital. Dr. Harris and his family were forced by the British to leave Charleston. They returned after the war was over, and Dr. Harris entered into a successful medical practice with Dr. David Oliphant. Dr. Harris was a founder of the Medical Society of South Carolina in 1789. He served as the organization's first secretary, and was its president for 1796-1797. He wrote papers on such subjects as yellow fever, abscess, and vaccines. Dr. Harris was married to the daughter of his Scottish landlady, Mrs. Elizabeth Boston, and had eight daughters. He died after a long illness in 1821.