((above image from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txmatago/hm_ma_levy.htm)
Albert Moses Levy: a Jewish surgeon for the New Orleans Grays, to the Republic of Texas Navy
Albert Moses Levy came to the United States in 1818 from the Netherlands (refer back to sub-page 1, to determine what type of Jew he likely was!), and graduated from medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in 1832. He then became Dr. Albert Moses Levy and moved to the South to practice medicine in Richmond, Virginia. A few years later, he continued on to practice medicine in New Orleans instead, where he served as Chief Surgeon in the Siege of Bexar, which was the first big campaign of the Texas Revolution. (During his time in New Orleans, he worked with the New Orleans Greys, two companies of volunteers that served in the Texas Revolution.) The Texas Revolution started with colonists from the Mexican province of Texas rebelling against the Mexican government. These colonists were fighting for their independence. [Click here to learn more about the Texas Revolution!] Following this, and with his relation to Texas, he then moved on further to serve in the Texas Navy himself. Due to his notable service and talent, Dr. Levy became a very famous Jewish doctor, practicing in the South. He continued to make himself known by getting involved with state and local affairs following his inspiring medical journey.
I am very curious if during the 19th century, "Levy" was known to be a Jewish name as it is today. It would be interesting to know if there were people either during the Texas Revolution or just patients of Dr. Albert Moses Levy in general, who judged him based upon his name- or even individuals who did not go to see him due to his Jewish heritage. I am aware that there was extensive jewish prejudice throughout history (and there still unfortunately is some today), and hence wonder if this affected his practice at all. Additionally I wonder if alternatively, being Jewish gave him any sort of leverage into the medical field. Currently, many medical students and doctors alike have extensive familial connections to other medical professionals, especially Jewish ones, which motivate them to enter into such a high-pressure, yet rewarding profession, and I am inquisitive about whether or not this is a recent phenomenon or something that has been around for centuries.