Thomas M. Markoe

Thomas Masters Markoe, A.M., M.D., Emeritus Professor of Surgery at Columbia University in the City of New York, was descended from one of the old Huguenot families of France. He was born in Philadelphia, September 13th, 1819, graduated at Princeton in the class of 1836, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, now the Medical Department of Columbia University, in 1841. In 1839, while still a student in the Medical College, he became connected as junior assistant with the New York Hospital, and from that time until his death he was associated with the institution—first, as Curator of the Pathological Museum, then as Lecturer on Pathological Anatomy; later, as Attending Surgeon, 1852–1892; and, finally, since 1892 as Consulting Surgeon. His long and uninterrupted identification with the College of Physicians and Surgeons was equally honorable and remarkable. From 1860 to 1871 he served as Adjunct-Professor of the Principles and Practice of Surgery; from 1871 to 1879 as full Professor of that department; from 1879 to 1888 as Professor of the Principles of Surgery; and after 1888 he was Emeritus Professor of Surgery. He held rank among the foremost medical teachers of the time. Lecturing without notes, clear and impressive in his style and method of instruction and demonstration, he was for more than a generation one of the peculiar factors of the strength and name of that famous institution, of which he was for some years Vice-President. He was for a number of years Professor of Anatomy in the University of the City of New York. At various periods he served as Attending Surgeon to the Nursery and Child’s Hospital, the Mount Sinai Hospital, Bellevue Hospital, and the Roosevelt Hospital. In addition to his position as Consulting Surgeon to the New York Hospital he held a like relationship to Mount Sinai, Woman’s, Roosevelt, Orthopedic, St. Mary’s, Vassar, and Nursery and Child’s Hospitals, etc.

During the Civil War he rendered valuable service as a member of the special corps of volunteer surgeons organized in response to the request of the Secretary of War, as a member of the Board of Examiners of Contract Physicians and Surgeons, and as Visiting Surgeon to the New York State Soldiers’ Depot and the Barracks Hospital in City Hall Park. In 1846 he was ordered to Fredericksburg and Bell Plain. As a practitioner of medicine, Dr. Markoe early attained substantial success in association with Dr. Edward Delafield. This partnership began in 1849 and continued until the latter’s retirement from active practice in 1865. From that time until 1882, Dr. Markoe had for his associate Dr. Francis Delafield, son of Dr. Edward Delafield. He afterward continued his professional business in association with his sons[, Francis H. Markoe and James Wright Markoe].

Dr. Markoe was one of the Trustees of the Astor Library from 1863 until its absorption in the new Consolidated Library, and for the last four years of its separate existence (1891–1895) was its President. He acted as a Trustee of the Consolidated Library after its organization was effected.

From an early period of his life he co-operated enthusiastically in organized efforts to promote higher musical culture in the metropolis. In the winter of 1841–42, while a resident of the New York Hospital, he organized a musical club, which continued active service until his death. He was present at the first concert of the Philharmonic Society, given December 7th, 1842, and during every subsequent season he was one of its subscribers and most cordial supporters.

He was one of the founders of the Academy of Medicine, an original member of the Pathological Society, and a member of the County Medical Society, the Medical and Surgical Society, and the Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Medical Men.

Dr. Markoe filled in remarkable degree the antique measure of a sound mind in a sound body. Of fine physique, he preserved his natural vigor to the last by the simplicity and intelligence of his daily habit and exercise. Of a vigorous and independent intellect, great acumen, technical skill, and professional sagacity, he had in all the relations of life that most uncommon of traits—constant common sense. To his patients, his friends, and his family his habitual bearing was gentle and self-respecting, considerate on the one hand, stimulating and kindly exacting on the other. Intercourse with him was a liberal education in the difficult and fine art of right living.

Edward Cary
1902 Century Association Yearbook