Stearns, Charles W. (Charles Woodward), 1818-1887

Physician; B.A., Yale, 1837; M.D., Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, 1840; became a surgeon in the U.S. Army and served in Florida and New York Harbor in 1841-1842; spent two years in Europe; upon his return he practiced in Springfield, Mass. and N.Y.C.; enlisted as surgeon during the Civil War, mustered out in 1863; relinquished the practice of medicine after the war.

Charles W. Stearns was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on September 24, 1817. He received his B.A. from Yale College in 1837. He continued his education at the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of M.D. in 1840. Stearns became a surgeon in the U.S. Army, serving in Florida and the New York Harbor in 1841 and 1842. He spent two years in Europe and upon his return, practiced medicine in Springfield, Massachusetts and New York City. He enlisted as surgeon during the Civil War and was mustered out in 1863. After the war, Stearns relinquished the practice of medicine. He died in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, on September 8, 1887.

Charles Woodward Stearns, elder son of the Hon. Charles Stearns, of Springfield, Mass., was born in that city, September 24, 1817. His mother, Julia Ann Woodward, was a grand-daughter of the Rev. Dr. Benjamin Trumbull (Yale 1759), of North Haven, Conn.

After graduation he studied for two years in the Medical School of Harvard College, but took his degree of M.D. at the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1840. He began practice in Springfield, but soon became a surgeon in the United States Army, and served in Florida and in New York Harbor in 1841-42. He then spent two years in Europe, and after his return resided mainly in Springfield and New York City, engaged in literary occupations in the exercise of his remarkable inventive genius, as well as in the practice of his profession. On the outbreak of the late civil war he enlisted as a surgeon of the Third New York Infantry, and remained with that regiment until it was mustered out in May, 1863. After this he relinquished the practice of medicine.

While spending some months in Williamstown, Mass., in 1884, he was stricken with paralysis, and remained an invalid for the rest of his life. He died in Longmeadow, Mass., September 8, 1887, at the age of 70.

Dr. Stearns married, June 23, 1853, Elizabeth Wolcott, of Springfield. After her death he married, July 2, 1862, Mary E., daughter of W. C. Shaw, of Baltimore, Md., who died in New York City, May 30, 1877. He next married, April 23, 1879, Miss Amanda Aikin, daughter of Judge Albro Aikin, of Duchess County, N. Y., who survives him. He left no children.

Among other writings of his which have been published may be mentioned, Shakespeare's Medical Knowledge (1865, 8vo, pp. 78), The Shakespeare Treasury of Wisdom and Knowledge (1869, 12mo, pp. 436), and A Concordance and Classified Index to the Constitution of the United States (1872, 8vo, pp. 153).

(Taken from Yale Obituary Record, 1880-1890, pp. 436-437).