James Read Chadwick

James Read Chadwick (November 2, 1844 – September 23, 1905) was an American gynecologist and medical librarian remembered for describing the Chadwick sign of early pregnancy in 1887. Early life and education Chadwick was born in Boston on November 2, 1844. He was a son of Christopher Chamberlain Chadwick (1821–1871), a Boston merchant, and Louisa (née Read) Chadwick (1821–1913). His sister, Elizabeth (née Chadwick) Whittier, was married to Brig. Gen. Charles A. Whittier. He received a B.A. at Harvard in 1865, an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1871, studied obstetrics in Europe from 1871 to 1873, and then worked as a gynecologist in Boston. Career From 1874 he worked at the Boston City Hospital, helping to found the gynecological department, and taught at Harvard Medical School. He helped to found, and became secretary and president of the American Gynaecological Society. He was a founder of the Boston Medical Library Association in 1875, and worked as the librarian until his death. He was voted president of the Association of Medical Librarians in 1904. He was the first president of the Harvard Medical Alumni Association in 1891. He was a supporter of women in the practice of medicine, writing a report which cited the contributions of women in medicine.