Dr. H.C. Allen
Dr. Henry Clay Allen was one of the guiding lights of Hahnemannian homeopathy. Even though he was steadfast in his adherence to the principles of Hahnemann, he always strived for constructive discussion. After receiving his graduation homeopathic training at Cleveland Homeopathic College at Cleveland, Ohio in 1861.
Dr. Henry Clay (Henry C.) Allen (1836–1909) was one of the guiding lights of classical Hahnemannian homoeopathy, renowned for his strict adherence to homoeopathic principles along with his openness to thoughtful and constructive discussion. He was born on October 2, 1836, at Nilestown near London, Ontario, and was a descendant of the Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen.
He studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario, Canada, and received his homoeopathic training at the Western (Cleveland) Homoeopathic College, Ohio, graduating in 1861. Following graduation, Dr. Allen served as a surgeon in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he began his academic career as Professor of Anatomy at Cleveland and later held the same chair at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. In 1875, he moved to Detroit, and in 1880 he was appointed Professor of Materia Medica at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In 1892, Dr. Allen played a key role in founding the Hering Medical College and Hospital, where he served as Dean and Professor of Materia Medica until his death on January 22, 1909. He was deeply respected and admired by students and colleagues for his scholarship, character, and dedication to homoeopathy.
A prolific writer, Dr. Allen authored numerous articles and several important books, including Keynotes of the Materia Medica with Nosodes, The Materia Medica of the Nosodes, The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Intermittent Fever, The Homoeopathic Therapeutics of Fever, and Therapeutics of Tuberculous Affections. His classic work Materia Medica of the Nosodes, including provings of X-ray, was published posthumously in 1910. Dr. Henry C. Allen’s contributions continue to exert a profound influence on homoeopathic education and practice worldwide.
