Richmond : Clemmitt & Jones, 1878.
Description : [1 l.] frontis. (col.), [1]-19 p., ; ill.: 1 phot. ; 18.5 cm.
Photograph : mounted albumen.
Subject : Medical biography — Robert Archer (1794-1877).
Notes :
Dr. Archer began his medical studies at age sixteen. His preceptor was Dr. Oliviera Fernandez of Norfolk, a political refugee from the Portugal royal court and one whose name resides as a footnote in American history books as the procurer of Portuguese spirits on behalf of Thomas Jefferson. Archer was a career army surgeon for twenty-five years and his name footnotes American literature for the medical care and counsel he provided to Edgar Allen Poe while Poe was serving under an alias at Fortress Monroe in 1829. After retiring from the army ten years later, Archer became a gentleman farmer and president of the Agricultural Society of Elizabeth County until 1848 when he became president of the Armory Rolling Mills in Richmond. This foundry merged with the Tredegar Iron Works and Archer became a manager owner in partnership with his son-in-law, Gen. Joseph Reid Anderson (1813–1892). The author was the son of Virginia governor, James Barbour (1775-1842).
