Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (August 29, 1809 – October 7, 1894) was an American physician, poet, and polymath based in Boston. Grouped among the fireside poets, he was acclaimed by his peers as one of the best writers of the day. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). He was also an important medical reformer.

Early life and education

Holmes was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Abiel Holmes, a clergyman and historian, and Sarah Wendell Holmes. He attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and then Harvard University, where he graduated in 1829. He studied medicine at Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1836.

Medical career

After graduating from medical school, Holmes practiced medicine in Boston for several years. He was a gifted diagnostician and a pioneer in the use of ether anesthesia. He also wrote extensively on medical topics, including the contagiousness of puerperal fever.

Literary career

Holmes's literary career began in the 1830s, when he began publishing poems and essays in magazines. He was a prolific writer, and his works ranged from poetry and essays to novels and medical treatises. His most famous prose works are the "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table (1858). These essays are a collection of conversations between Holmes and a group of fictional characters. They are witty, insightful, and often philosophical.

Philosophy

Holmes's philosophy was a blend of pragmatism and idealism. He believed that the world was constantly changing, and that truth was relative. However, he also believed that there were some universal truths, such as the importance of love, compassion, and justice.

Death and legacy

Holmes died in Boston in 1894. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in American literature and medicine. His works are still read and enjoyed today.

Interesting facts

• Holmes was a close friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
• He was a vocal critic of slavery and the Mexican-American War.
• He was the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., a Supreme Court justice.
• He was a member of the Metaphysical Club, a group of philosophers and scientists who met in Boston in the 1830s.