de Villeneuve, (Dr.) A. B. [Francois Xavier Charles Arthur Bertin deVilleneuve]

Submitted by Mike Miller

Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve, physician and surgeon, at 68 North Rampart street, New Orleans, La., was born in this city June 17, 1846, and was thoroughly educated in New Orleans in the Jesuit college. At the age of sixteen years he embarked in business, carried it on until twenty-three years of age, and then began the study of medicine. He subsequently entered the University of Louisiana, and graduated from the medical department of that institution in March 1572. After practicing one year he became convinced of the virtues of the homeopathic system, studied homeopathy, and turns his practice generally to this branch of treatment but does not discard mechanical, chemical or physical means of the old school. In 1878, during the terrible epidemic of yellow fever in New Orleans, Dr. de Villeneuve was employed by the Howard association as their physician and thought then the time was proper to show the people of the South the value of homeopathic treatment in such a terrible disease, and with the co-operation of Dr. Belden, the old veteran southern homeopathic physician, Captain Fisher and Major Stephenson, both of the United States army, formed the Homeopathic Relief association, whose successes in this terrible epidemic have been known to the world. The "Times-Democrat" of September 13, 1879, published the following notice in his behalf: "The talented young physician, at present vice-president of the Homeopathic Relief association, whose name is mentioned with so much respect in the lines given below, certainly deserves the compliment paid him by the French minister of foreign affairs. Dr. de Villeneuve was particularly active during the last epidemic and gave his services freely, especially to the poor who applied to the Union Francaise for assistance. It is in some way as a recompense for his labors in behalf of the French population that the medal spoken of in the following letter is conferred: 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris, August 23, 1879.-Sir M., the Count d'Abzac, has informed me, in confirmation of the reports which have previously been sent me by M. Bellaquet, acting consul at New Orleans, of the devotion which you exhibited during the yellow-fever epidemic which raged in your city last year. Desiring to recognize the services which you have rendered under such terrible circumstances to the French population, I have decided to confer upon you a gold medal of the second class. This medal, which is about to be struck under the direction of my department, shall be transmitted to you at an early date. Receive, sir, the assurance of my high consideration. Waddington. A. B. de Villeneuve, New Orleans, La." The Doctor has been the physician for the French Opera troupe for the last fourteen years. He is correspondent member diplomated of the French Medical Homeopathic society, of France. Although practicing his profession he has been connected at the same time, for many years, as a correspondent to different French, Italian and American newspapers of note. The "City Item," of January 5, 1890, says: "Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve, whose accomplishments as a literary, dramatic and scientific writer have been recognized for many years, has recently assumed the managing editorship of that excellent paper, 'L'Orleanais.' "He has also contributed to several medical journals of this country and has translated Dr. Holcombe's pamphlet, "What is Homeopathy," into French. The following is taken from the "Louisiana Review: "Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve has recently opened an office for the practice of his profession at 68 North Rampart. Dr. de Villeneuve is a most skillful and experienced physician and gives to his clients the utmost attention. Wielding also an able pen, he has at times, been a prominent contributor to the press, among whose members the courteous Doctor has numerous friends, who will wish him the great success that his professional talents will surely bring him. During the yellow-fever epidemic of 1878 he was instrumental in organizing a society of homeopathic practitioners, who rendered valuable service in ministering to the sick. For this good work Dr. de Villeneuve was honored with a testimonial by the French government."

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 432-433. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.