HUTCHINSON, James, physician, born in Wakefield, Pennsylvania, 29 January, 1752; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 6 September, 1793. He received his medical education in London, and, at the prospect of the Revolution, warmly espoused the patriot cause. Returning home by way of France, he bore important despatches from Benjamin Franklin to congress. He joined the American army, and served throughout the Revolution as a physician and surgeon. He was a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania from 1779 until his death, several years secretary of the philosophical society, and professor of materia medica in the University of Pennsylvania from 1789 till his election in 1791 to the chair of chemistry. The Philadelphia college presented him with a silver medal for his proficiency in this branch. For many years he was physician of the port of Philadelphia, and one of the physicians to the Pennsylvania hospital. See biography and portrait in "Henry Simpson's "Eminent Philadelphians" (Philadelphia, 1859).