Charles Knowlton (May 10, 1800 – February 20, 1850) was an American physician, atheist and writer.
Knowlton was born May 10, 1800 in Templeton, Massachusetts. His parents were Stephen and Comfort (White) Knowlton; his grandfather Ezekiel Knowlton, who was a Captain in the revolution and a longtime state legislator. Knowlton attended local schools, then New Salem Academy. At age 18, he taught school briefly in Alstead, NH. As a young man, Knowlton...
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Charles Knowlton (May 10, 1800 – February 20, 1850) was an American physician, atheist and writer.
Knowlton was born May 10, 1800 in Templeton, Massachusetts. His parents were Stephen and Comfort (White) Knowlton; his grandfather Ezekiel Knowlton, who was a Captain in the revolution and a longtime state legislator. Knowlton attended local schools, then New Salem Academy. At age 18, he taught school briefly in Alstead, NH. As a young man, Knowlton was extremely concerned about his health. This led him to spend time with Richard Stuart, a “jack of all trades” in Winchendon who was experimenting with electricity. Knowlton married Stuart’s daughter, Tabitha, and his condition was instantly cured.
Knowlton studied medicine with several area doctors, and attended two terms of 14-week “medical lectures” at Dartmouth. He supplemented his education by digging up and dissecting corpses. Knowlton was awarded his M.D. in 1824, moved to Hawley, Massachusetts to begin his practice, and then served...
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