Background
Rufus Henry Gilbert was born on January 26, 1832, in Guilford, New York. He was the son of William Dwight Gilbert, a jurist.
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Rufus Henry Gilbert
Edit ProfileEducation
Gilbert's early education was that obtained in the typical “academy” of the time; then, to satisfy his interest in medicine, he became an apprentice to the local druggist. This work did not appeal to him especially and in a short time, he entered a machine-shop in Corning, New York, where he continued for six years and became a skilled mechanic.
His nights and leisure moments he devoted to the study of classical literature and mathematics. For some unknown reason, upon the completion of his machinist’s “time, ” Gilbert entered the office of a physician in Corning and devoted a year to the study of medicine. He then proceeded to New York City and entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons where his proficiency quickly attracted the attention of the dean, Dr. Willard Parker, who made him an assistant.
His financial means were limited, however, and after another year, but before completing his course, Gilbert returned to Corning and began the practise of medicine, specializing in surgery.
Career
With the performance of a number of difficult operations Gilbert's fame spread, but the subsequent demands for his professional services so affected his health that after several years he was compelled to give up his practise entirely.
He went to Europe to rest and while there studied hospital management both in London and Paris. In the course of this work he became deeply impressed with the preponderance of hospital cases of people living in the densely populated tenement districts of these cities.
He ascribed the cause to lack of sunlight and air and from that belief developed his conclusion that cheaper and more rapid transportation facilities would be a most effective means of improving public health.
After partially regaining his health, and imbued with his new transportation idea, Gilbert returned to New York. The Civil War had just broken out, however, so he offered his services and was appointed surgeon to the Duryee Zouaves.
In the battle of Big Bethel, he performed the first surgical operation under fire. Later, he was made medical inspector of Fortress Monroe, and still later, medical director of the XIV Army Corps.
Before he left the army he had attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. With the close of the war Gilbert’s health was again so undermined that he could not continue his professional work.
He had not, however, forgotten his transportation idea and as a first step toward its consummation, he took the position of assistant superintendent of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
While engaged in remodeling this road and gaining considerable renown, he began giving serious attention to his own transportation scheme for New York City, and as soon as his particular work was completed, he resigned to devote his whole attention to a system of rapid transit.
He worked first on a pneumatic-tube system and obtained two patents in 1870. Armed with these patents he succeeded in having the New York legislature pass an act incorporating the Gilbert Elevated Railway Company on June 17, 1872.
He then endeavored to raise capital with which to build his road, but the financial depression following the panic of 1873 interfered. The necessary funds were not forthcoming until in 1876 when the New York Loan and Improvement Company, under an agreement which practically gave it control of the undertaking, contracted to build and equip the line.
Work was commenced in March 1876, but property owners on Sixth Avenue, horse-car companies, and others, by injunction proceedings, delayed construction, and one and a half years more passed before these suits were disposed of.
The road was finally completed from Trinity Church to Fifty-ninth Street in April 1878, and opened for public travel on June 6.
Almost the next day Gilbert was forced out of the management of the company and eventually was locked out of the directorate entirely.
Extensive litigations were instituted without any satisfaction to Gilbert and he died at the age of fifty-three, a poor and broken man.
Achievements
Connections
Gilbert was twice married: first, to the daughter of Justice Maynard of the New York supreme court; and second, to the daughter of J. W. Price of New York, who with two children survived him.
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Born
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Died
July 10, 1885 (aged 53) -
Resting place
Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum, Manhattan, New York, United States -
Nationality
American