William Easterly Ashton (June 5, 1859 – March 30, 1933) was a noted gynecologist and surgeon. He also served in the United States Army as a regimental surgeon during World War I.
William Easterly Ashton | |
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| Born | June 5, 1859 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | March 30, 1933 (aged 73) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Elizabeth |
| Relations | Samuel Keen Ashton, Thomas G. Ashton |
Early life and education
editAshton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1859, to Samuel Keen and Caroline M. Ashton.[1] His brother is Thomas G. Ashton.[2]
He attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1881.[1] He later attended Jefferson Medical College and Ursinus.[1]
Early medical career
editAshton served on the faculty of the hospital and Jefferson Medical College from 1884 until 1892.[1]
From 1892 to 1916, he was a gynecologist and professor of gynecology at Medico-Chirug. College.[1] In 1916, he was a professor of gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania.[1]
He invented surgical instruments and appliances.[1]
Military career
editAshton enlisted in the United States Army in 1917 as a major. He was assigned as the regimental surgeon to the 309th Field Artillery, 78th Division. He served in France for 11 months and participated in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in February 1919. Ashton was gassed during the Argonne offensive. He retired from service in April 1919.[1]
Personal life
editAshton married Alice Elizabeth Rosengarten on October 5, 1891. They had one daughter named Dorothy.[1]
Awards and honors
editAshton received the Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Medical Detachment, 309th Field Artillery." During the course of treating his patients, he "was subjected to constant explosion of phosgene shells and, in order to perform his duties, he was forced to remove his gas mask."[3]
Death and legacy
editAshton died from pneumonia at his home in Philadelphia on March 30, 1933.[1][4]
Publications
edit- Ashton, William Easterly. Questions and Answers on the Essentials of Obstetrics; Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1888. OCLC 19376603
- Ashton, William Easterly. A Text-Book on the Practice of Gynecology for Practitioners and Students. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1905. OCLC 2405270
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Who Was Who in American History – the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1975. p. 18. ISBN 0837932017. Retrieved March 16, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Oberholtzer, Ellis Paxson (1912). Philadelphia: A History of the City and Its People, a Record of 225 Years. Philadelphia: J. S. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 348. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ "Valor awards for William E. Ashton".
- ^ "Dr. William E. Ashton". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 1, 1933. p. 8. Retrieved March 16, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.