Background
Van Lennep was born on December 5, 1853, at Constantinople, Turkey. He was the son of Emily (Bird) and Henry John Van Lennep.
Van Lennep was born on December 5, 1853, at Constantinople, Turkey. He was the son of Emily (Bird) and Henry John Van Lennep.
William's early education, while living abroad, was entirely under the supervision of his parents. In 1869, the family returned to the United States. Between 1869 and 1872, he attended the Sedgwick School in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He graduated from Princeton College in 1876. In 1876 and 1877, he studied medicine in a doctor's office in LeRoy, New York. In 1880, he graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia and received the gold medal of the faculty. From 1882 to 1884, he attended post-graduate courses in London, Paris, and Vienna.
Following graduation, Van Lennep served an internship of six months at the New York Homeopathic Charity Hospital, Ward's Island. He then returned to Philadelphia for a short time, assisting Dr. Bushrod W. James in practice. He settled in Philadelphia upon his return from Europe and devoted himself to the practice of surgery exclusively. He taught in the Hahnemann Medical College faculty from 1886 to his death, as professor of surgery after 1895.
He was surgeon to the Pennsylvania Homoeopathic Hospital for Children and the Children's Homoeopathic Hospital of Philadelphia, senior surgeon of Hahnemann Hospital of Philadelphia, consulting surgeon of the Camden Homoeopathic Hospital, Woman's Homoeopathic Hospital of Philadelphia, Trenton Homeopathic Hospital, and the Harper Memorial Hospital. In 1888, he purchased the Hahnemannian Monthly from Pemberton Dudley and associated with himself as editor Clarence Bartlett. In 1910, he was elected dean of Hahnemann College. He was a member of several medical societies and an active member of the Union League of Philadelphia.
During the latter part of 1918, his health broke, and although not regarded as seriously ill, he died suddenly, survived by his wife and daughter.
a member of the Union League of Philadelphia
Physically a giant, William was a man of remarkable personality and multiplicity of talents. He was whole-heartedly devoted to Hahnemann, sacrificing all efforts and interests in its behalf.
As a teacher, he is well remembered by all who sat before him. In all matters pertaining to medical and homeopathic affairs, he was consulted frequently by men important in political and medical movements for advancement.
On April 28, 1886, Van Lennep was married to Clara Reeves Hart, the daughter of Thomas Hart of Philadelphia. They had a daughter.