When most of us think about our Founding Founders, astute politicians probably come to mind. But five of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were physicians:
Benjamin Rush, served as a high-ranking surgeon in the Continental Army;
Matthew Thornton practiced in rural New Hampshire and inoculated himself against small pox.
Josiah Bartlett was a practicing physician who became governor of New Hampshire and pushed to crack down on quackery;
Lyman Hall was originally a dishonored preacher, who became a doctor and moved to Georgia;
Oliver Wolcott was trained as a doctor, but spent most of his life in public office.
Source: Wall Street Journal
And if you're dying to delve beyond the level of Trivial Pursuit, there's even a book on about the men -- Physician signers of the Declaration of Independence
Do you think more physicians should be involved in public office today? Would we move closer to a health care solution?