Old Charlestonian Project

Dr. Alexander Baron was a very important man in Charleston. He was born in Kincardine, Scotland in 1745. Baron died on January 9, 1819 and was buried at First Scots Presbyterian Church. He graduated from medical school at Edinburgh in 1768 and came to Charleston in 1769. A painting of Baron is located in the Gibbs Museum of Art.

Painting of Dr. Alexander Baron found on Gibbs Museum of Art

When Baron moved to Charleston he purchased the Governors House Inn for 4500 pounds (equivalent to approximately 6,000 US Dollars). The house was owned by two signers of the Declaration of Independence before Baron purchased it.

Governors House Inn

After many years of practice, Baron became known as a specialists in obstetrics which is the branch of medicine and surgery with childbirth and the care of women giving birth. He was on of the founders of the Medical Society of South Carolina and served for 28 years as the president of the St. Andrews Society. The St. Andrews Society is the oldest charitable society in South Carolina.

Baron's Gravestone

Baron's gravestone was located directly in the middle of the graveyard. I specifically chose him because I thought it was interesting how the sextons of the graveyard allowed the plants to grow around the side. I also used this picture because I wanted to show how the other box tomb in the box has nothing growing on the sides so I thought this was significant.