Schwartz, Seymour I., 1928-2020

Seymour I. Schwartz (January 22, 1928 – August 28, 2020) was the Distinguished Alumni Professor for the Department of Surgery at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. He was the founding editor-in-chief of Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Rochester (1987–1998), editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (1996–2004) and president of the American College of Surgeons (1997–1998). He performed general, vascular, cardiothoracic and pediatric surgery, and was recognized for his impact on the field of liver surgery. With nearly 65 years in the field of surgery, Scwartz published hundreds of research articles, textbook chapters, received numerous honors in the United States and abroad, and lectured throughout the world as a visiting professor Schwartz authored many books on the history of surgery, including Gifted Hands: America's Most Significant Contributions to Surgery, Holystic Medicine – The Patron Saints of Medicine, and The Anatomist, The Barber-Surgeon and the King. What began initially as a hobby, led to significant accomplishments and contributions in the field of cartography. His cartographic publications include The Mapping of America, This Land is Your Land: The Geographic Evolution of the United States, Mis-Mapping of America, and Putting "America" on the Map. He served on the board of trustees for the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution, as well as the Advisory Board for the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress. In 2001, he was elected to membership in the American Philosophical Society.