Pepper, William, Jr (1843–1898)

US physician. Along with his pioneer contributions to medicine – his description of malarial parasites, the role of bone marrow in pernicious anemia, and the modern treatment of tuberculosis – he is remembered for significant reforms in medical education. His efforts resulted in a remarkable number of American firsts from the University of Pennsylvania Medical College; the first teaching hospital affiliated with a university medical school (1874), the first nurses training school (1887), and the first laboratory of clinical medicine (1894).

As provost of the University of Pennsylvania (1880–94), he led it through an extensive period of growth, effectively creating the modern University of Pennsylvania with its various graduate schools and programmes such as extension courses. In addition to his teaching, administrative chores, and clinical practice, he wrote such books as Text-Book of the Theory and Practice of Medicine (1893–94) and still found time to give of his leadership and money toward the cultural development of Philadelphia.

Pepper was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His first case following graduation (1864) was his father, William Pepper, Sr (1810–64), a famous Philadelphia surgeon and diagnostician who died that autumn. The son began teaching at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1868 and continued teaching there until 1895.