Edward Jackson in 1896: a man and his specialty at a crossroads. LIII Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture: Part 1.
OBJECTIVE
To review the life of Dr. Edward Jackson and his contributions to American medicine and ophthalmology, using as a reference point 1896, the year of the founding of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.


METHODS
Review of published materials by and about Edward Jackson and other historical materials to evaluate Dr. Jackson's contributions to and the status of American ophthalmology during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.


RESULTS
Eighteen ninety-six was a seminal year for Dr. Jackson. He assumed a leadership role in American ophthalmology and medicine while overcoming personal tragedy and the difficult transition from being part of the Eastern establishment to becoming "a great champion of the West."


CONCLUSIONS
The issues and events of 1896, and their evolution and repercussions in subsequent decades, confirm that Edward Jackson was a major figure in shaping modern American ophthalmology.
Albert
D M
DM
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison 53792, USA. Albert@eyesee.ophth.wisc.edu
D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States