_Benjamin Rush._--I found the following in an old paper:
"Edinburgh, June 14, 1768. Yesterday Benjamin Rush, of the city of
Philadelphia, A. M., and Gustavus Richard Brown, of Maryland, were
admitted to the honour of a degree of Doctors of Physic, in the
university of this place, after having undergone the usual
examinations, both private and public. The former of whom was also
presented some time before with the freedom of this city."
The Benjamin Rush here referred to subsequently became quite eminent as a
physician. He took an active part in the struggle between the American
colonies and the mother country, and was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence. One of his sons was the American minister to
London a few years since.
Can any of your readers inform me why the freedom of Edinburgh was
conferred upon him? In 1768 he could not have been over twenty-five years
of age.