Historian; born in
Lancaster, Pa., April 2, 1749; began the practice of medicine in
Charleston, S. C., where he ardenty espoused the cause of the patriots, became active in the provisional free government, council of safety, etc., and when the
Revolutionary War broke out became a surgeon in the military service.
He was among the prisoners captured at
Charleston in 1780, and was closely confined in the fort at
St. Augustine.
Dr. Ramsay was a member of Congress from 1782 to 1786, and was president of
that body for a year.
His
History of the Revolution in South Carolina was published in 1785, and his
History of the American Revolution in 1789.
Both were translated into the
French language and published in
France.
In 1801 he published
a
Life of Washington, and in 1809 a
History of the United States to the close of the colonial period.
He also published some minor works.
He died in
Charleston, S. C., May 8, 1815.
