Joseph W. Benson (c. 1823-1884)

Eighth Dean 1859-1863

Tenth Dean 1866-1867

Joseph W. Benson was perhaps the most controversial dean in the history of the University of Louisville School of Medicine.  He was Dean during the Civil War, when the state, city and medical school were divided politically and philosophically.  During the War, Dr. Benson contracted with the Union Army to provide feed for government stock.  The feed he delivered was of inferior quality, and Benson was arrested, court-martialed and imprisoned.  Dr. Benson submitted a letter of resignation, but the faculty rejected it.  After his release from prison, he returned to the University and was in residence during the 1866-67 session.  However, shortly thereafter Dr. Benson became affiliated with the Louisville Freedman’s Bureau Hospital, where he was allowed to use their facilities and patients in clinical lectures to medical students.  It was rumored that Dr. Benson trafficked in the bodies of deceased freedmen from the hospital and sold them to medical schools for dissection, and Benson was eventually imprisoned again.