Joseph Bensadon

JosephBensadon was born in New York, the oldest of Jacob Bensadon andAbigail Jacobs Bensadon’s three children. Brought up in Charleston,studied at the College of Charleston and the Medical Society of SouthCarolina, earning his M.D. in 1838.

Followinghis service in the United States Army during the Mexican War,Bensadon settled in New Orleans and opened a private practice. Hesoon became acquainted with philanthropist JudahTouro, who was one of his patients. When Touro founded thehospital that would bear his name, in 1852, he engaged Bensadon asits first director. Founded initially to care for seamen, the TouroInfirmary later served the entire community. It housed 28 patients ina converted waterfront plantation house, where Bensadon served aschief and often sole physician from its opening until he enlisted inthe Confederate Army as a surgeon in 1861. At the conclusion of theCivil War, Bensadon returned to New Orleans and set up a private apractice which he maintained until his death a few years later.

Joseph Bensadon

mid–19th century