Life After Dickinson, University of South Carolina 1821-1831
1816-1820
After Cooper resigned from Dickinson College, he recieved many offeres from Colleges and Universities in various states. He almost accepted a position at Transylvania University since he would not have to endore the control of any New England clergyman. However, due to lack of funding at the University he respectfully declined their offer. In 1816, Cooper was appointed professor of chemistry and minerology at the University of Pennsylvania. Again, Cooper found himself to be the first chemistry professor at another college. During this time, Cooper made a very modern theory of applying chemistry to the study of medicine.
-Cooper: "Twenty years has changed the whole face of chemistry, in its theory, in its practice,
and its application, and the bands of alliance between chemistry and medicine are
growing everyday more indissoluble."
In 1818, Cooper authored "Discourse on the Connexion between Chemistry and Medicince." Cooper felt it was his duty to highlight the correlation between the two disciplines. His theory is an expansion to his stance on the practicality of his practice. The head of the medical department at the University of Pennsylvanis, distinguished Dr. Charles Caldwell, ridiculed the use of chemistry in medical practice. He argued, "The use of chemistry in this nature only fills it with error." Cooper wrote Dr. Caldwell and explained the need to incorporate this field in medicine since it would further advance current treatments. He went as far to suggest adding a fourth year to the medical curriculum focused on the usage of chemistry. In June of 1821, Cooper decided Phileadelphia was not a place he was looking to spend the rest of his time and resigned from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Jefferson, close friend of Cooper, contacted Thomas Cooper and wanted him to join his university: the University of Virginia. His appointment had the distinction of three presidents of the United States: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. During the process of transporting his belongings to Virgina, residents made an uproar about Cooper's religious views and protested his appointment. This worried some of the institution's trustees since the university was young. They did not want to oppose the local majority. Cooper became very disappointed since he saw the opportunity as once in a lifetime but understood the university's position and did not take the post. Jefferson also was saddened at the loss and saw Cooper as the edifice of his institution. He said, "I know of no one who could have aided us so much in forming the future regulations of our infant institution."
-Cooper: "I regret the storm which has been raised on my account, for it has seperated
me from my fond hopes and wishes."
University of South Carolina 1821 - 1833
Cooper rebounded from the Virginia fiasco and turned towards the University of South Carolina. In 1921, Cooper became the second President of the university and professor of chemistry. At the time of Cooper's inaguration, chemistry was an infant study and lack any popularity. Within two years, Cooper's skill of lecturing and broad range of knowledge fueld its popularity that was rivaled by no other. Cooper also taught a new subject at the university: political economy. He was the first professor of this subject in the United States. He described himself as a Constitutional democrate. He even predicted the succession of the southern states in 1826. In a speech, he described the South as the loser in an "unequal alliance." Cooper predicted that South Carolina would in the near future "be compelled to calculate the value of our union.". The idea that the South should withdraw "received its first extensive advertising as a result of that speech". Cooper was a big supporter of free markets. He published a book called. Lectures on Political Economy where he argues the U.S. government would only get in the way of commerce. He was a huge supporter of free trade and believed individuals are the only exports on their consumption.
- Cooper: "The President of the United States is a very wise man, so are all our senators and
representatives, all wise men; and the city of Washington contains the congregated
wisdom of the nation. But none of them can instruct me whether it would be more advantageous
to purchase a chemical article for my laboratory than to make it there. Every man is the best
judge of his own business. Therefore the laws of the community interfere imprudently
when they direct the industry of individuals."
Controversy again surrounded Cooper and his different religious views. Some in the State Legislature charged Cooper of being "odious" or hateful towards a large group of people in the state. He had a large support group and the charges were dismissed in 1933; however, Cooper though it was best to resign and ended his affiliation with the university in 1933.
Cooper worked for the state, critiquing state laws, until his death in 1839.
