Article August 24, 1907 Issue

DR. ALLAN MCLANE HAMILTON FINDS MRS. EDDY COMPETENT

During the progress of the case it had been thought advisable by Mr. Streeter, counsel for Mrs. Eddy, that an expert alienist, whose honesty, reputation, and competency could not be questioned, make a thorough study of the case and be prepared to pass judgment thereupon if it became necessary. It was thought advisable that this alienist should be the very best which this country affords, in order to make the testimony as strong as possible according to the justification which he might find, and to this end Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton was chosen. Dr. Hamilton had formerly testified against Christian Science in a New York case, but his sterling character and veracity is of such a nature that it was believed by Mr. Streeter and the Christian Scientists whom he consulted that the doctor's disbelief in some of the teachings of Christian Science would not in any way interfere with his making a just and fair estimate of Mrs. Eddy's condition. He visited Mrs. Eddy and has decided to submit his findings for publication.

Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton has had probably the largest experience of any alienist in this country in court, having commenced his career about thirty-five years ago. He has appeared in all the important cases in his own State of New York, both civil and criminal. He was selected by the United States as one of the special commissioner to determine the insanity of Snider in the District of Columbia; was one of the four chief experts in the Guiteau case, and was also consulted in the case of Czolgoltz, the assassin of President McKinley. He has the distinction of being the only expert in the Thaw case who expressed an absolute and unqualified opinion about Thaw's mental condition, which was subsequently adopted by both the defense and prosecution, but he was not allowed to testify by either, although he impressed the entire country by his independent stand. Dr. Hamilton is also known as an advocate for complete reform in the matter of expert testimony, and is generally regarded as one of the few impartial experts who can be relied upon to give honest testimony and who cannot be bought; for this reason he is respected by the courts, and by reputable lawyers generally.

Dr. Hamilton is fifty-eight years old, and is a grandson of Alexander Hamilton, and on his mother's side of Louis McLane, who was Minister to England and Secretary of the Treasury under Martin VanBuren and Andrew Jackson. Dr. Hamilton has written much and is prominently connected with many medical societies both here and abroad, and a few years ago received the great honor of being elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinboro. He founded the Psychiatrical Society and is regarded as an advanced student of mental disease.

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