Rufus Henry Gilbert

Rufus Henry Gilbert was born in Guilford, New York on January 26, 1832. Gilbert was the son of William Dwight Gilbert, a county judge in Steuben County, New York.[1]

Gilbert studied at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons and graduated to become a physician and surgeon.[2] During his time in New York City, Gilbert became concerned with the cramped and overly centralized living conditions of the working class, seeing this as a major public health hazard, and began thinking about urban rapid transit as the key to provision of more sanitary living conditions.[2]

During the American Civil War, he joined the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry as a surgeon, performing the first surgical procedure during the war at the Battle of Big Bethel. He eventually became Medical Director and Superintendent of the United States Army Hospitals.[2]

Towards the end of the war, Gilbert's own medical issues prevented him from a further career in this field.

Gilbert subsequently became Superintendent of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he worked on developing rapid transport in the New York City area.[2]

In 1870 Gilbert obtained a patent for an elevated railway using the principle of pneumatics.[2] Gilbert incorporated a company knowns as the Gilbert Elevated Railway Company but had difficulty obtaining adequate financing for the venture.[2] Ultimately Gilbert was forced to surrender control of the company to the New York Loan and Improvement Company in order to obtain sufficient capital.[2] The company constructed the Sixth Avenue road, known as Gilbert Elevated Railroad, which opened in 1878.[2] Gilbert was forced out of the company by his partners soon after the road opened, however, effectively ending his career.[2]

With his health failing, Gilbert died in New York City on July 10, 1885. He was just 53 years old at the time of his death.