Men of Mark in America/Volume 1/Samuel S. Adams
SAMUEL SHUGERT ADAMS
ADAMS, SAMUEL SHUGERT, M.D., lecturer on diseases of children, Georgetown university, 1879-84; professor of the theory and practice of medicine, 1884-92, National university; professor of clinical diseases of children, 1892-95, at Columbian university; professor of diseases of children, 1895-98, Georgetown university ; professor of theory and practice of medicine and diseases of children, Georgetown, since 1898, and still filling the chair; at present head of the medical department of the Georgetown university hospital; formerly chief of staff at Sibley Hospital, District of Columbia; attending and consulting physician in six or seven other hospitals; was born July 12, 1853, at Washington, District of Columbia.
His father, George Roszel Adams, a clerk and afterward a farmer, was at one time superintendent of public schools in Alexandria county, Virginia. His son speaks of him as a man of “honesty, sobriety, cheerfulness and firmness.” To his mother he attributes a strong and ennobling influence over his character. His physical condition in early life was fine, and athletics and riding were favorite pursuits. Part of his youth was spent in the country and in a small town. His education was obtained in the public schools of Washington and in private schools in Virginia. He was graduated from West Virginia university, receiving the degree of A.B. in 1875 and that of A.M. in 1878. He took a course of professional study at Georgetown, medical department, and was graduated from that institution in 1879. He began the active work of life as a physician in Washington, District of Columbia. His career furnishes an example of growth in usefulness and brilliant achievement, and he stands among the leading physicians of Washington.
Dr. Adams has hardly a peer in that city in his scientific treatment of children's diseases, in which department he has been a specialist from the beginning of his professional career. His reading has been of a scientific character. “College athletics, horseback riding, and three months’ rest each year on a New Hampshire farm, thirteen miles from a railroad, have been his means of exercise and relaxation."
He was educated for the law, and "against the wishes of my parents," he says, " I studied medicine. Why, I cannot tell." But it is quite evident that his peculiar talents fitted him in an eminent degree for the profession of his choice. His first strong impulse "was an early desire to succeed in life." Among the sources of his success he numbers " the pride instilled in me at home, the difficulties encountered in college, and the failure in life of many of my early companions—these all contributed to make me seek a position among the leaders in my profession."
He is affiliated with the Episcopal church; and his personal word in regard to his life-course is: "God has been good to me. I aimed high and strove to attain success by a willingness to work and to wait for the reward." He names as elements by which young people should seek to attain success, "honesty of purpose, integrity and jealous guarding of one's own reputation by having regard for the opinions of his fellow-men."
He has been president of the American Pediatric Society; of the Medical Association of Washington; of the Medical Society, District of Columbia; of the Washington Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. He was chairman of the committee of Arrangements First Pan-American Medical Congress, 1893. He has made addresses upon the topics particularly within his sphere; and his published contributions to prominent medical journals and magazines are of strictly scientific accuracy, of a highly technical character, and numerous. He has also collaborated in the preparation of a textbook of the diseases of children.
Dr. Adams' own words throw light on his career and give the key to his personal character and his success: "I did not marry until I could support a wife. We never bought anything for house or personal adornment until the money was earned to pay for it. My wife's good judgment has been very valuable to me in attaining success. Her intellectual qualities have been helpful in shaping mine. Our domestic happiness has been continuous. The parents being physically sound, our children are without the slightest physical blemish, and are mentally above the average for their ages. We have instilled into them from their infancy the value of truth; of correct modes of living; of independence of thought; of due regard for their companions, whether high or low in the social scale, or whether bright or dull in school work; of the importance of correct speech; the avoidance of slang and profanity; and above all that success in life can only be attained by individual effort. Possessed of a sound body, a good collegiate and medical education and a determination to be a leader of men, I began my professional life believing that I could in time tread where my teachers had walked. In less than twenty-five years my colleagues had given me all the honor they had to confer locally, and one national organization had made me its president. I have taught continually in medical schools since 1879, and love such work more to-day than in my youth. I have received very little money for such work but have derived much happiness from teaching young men. To sum up: My boyhood was happy, my college life enjoyable, my medical course interesting, my hospital life instructive, my teaching career pleasant, and my success satisfactory. My motto is: 'Think well before you act. Stand up for your convictions.'"
Dr. Adams married Lida Winslow Hollister, April 30, 1890. They have had four children, all of whom are living in 1904; Dorothy, Frank Dennette, Mildred, and Lida.