Dr. James H. Armsby, a physician, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, December 31, 1809, and died in Albany, New York on December 3, 1875. His early years were spent on his father's farm and in the common school, with a short time in the Worcester and Monson academies. He studied with his brother-in-law, Dr. Alden March at the Vermont academy of medicine, Castleton, Vt. , graduating in 1833. He taught for a year in a private medical school, and from 1834 to 1839 was professor of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont academy. In 1839 he and March moved to Albany to co-found the Albany Medical College.

Armsby delivered there what has been described as "the first American course of medical lectures illustrated with dissections of the human body." In addition to teaching, he served as a surgeon at the Albany Hospital, which he helped found in 1849, and in private practice. He made two visits to Europe, one in 1839 and one in 1845, for the purpose of inspecting the principal medical schools of the old world. He went to Naples in 1861 as U.S. consul, and in the following years helped organize U.S. medical services during the Civil War. He was also one of the originators of the Young Men's Christian Association.

In 1851 -1852, Dr. Armsby led a group of leading Albany citizens in the creation of the Dudley Observatory. In 1855, he negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Coast Survey that led to the purchase of telescopes and other equipment, and the launching of the Dudley Observatory's first program of astronomical research. During the Dudley Observatory controversy of 1858-1860, he was a leader of the majority group of trustees that successfully withstood challenges from the observatory's scientific council and retained control of the institution. He continued to serve on the Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees until his death in 1875.

The contents of several letterbooks belonging to; Dr. Armsby can be found in the Dudley Observatory Archives.

Home  • About Us  • Collections  • Education  • Events  • Grants  • History  • Skywatch  • Site Map & Index

Dudley Observatory
107 Nott Terrace, Suite 201
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 382-7583
info@dudleyobservatory.org