"M" is for Moultrie, John (ca. 1699-1771)

"M" is for Moultrie, John (ca. 1699-1771). Physician. A native of Scotland, Moultrie studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He spent some time as a surgeon in the Royal Navy before coming to Charleston in 1728. He established a successful practice and served as physician to St. Philip’s Parish hospital (part of the city’s poorhouse) and as a quarantine officer for the province. Over time Moultrie’s practice emphasized male midwifery. He was apparently one of the first American physicians to specialize in obstetrics. He seems to have been a popular and highly sought after physician—especially among expectant women. John Moultrie was active in the life of the Charleston community--serving as president of the St. Andrew’s Society, a justice of the peace, and vestryman of both St. Philip’s and St. Michael’s churches.