A Young Man's Insanity in Antebellum Virginia: The Case of Dr. Frederick Homer, Jr., 1955-58.

The article discusses the case of Dr. Frederick Homer, Jr. of Fauquier County, Virginia who resigned his naval commission at Washington due to alleged insanity. The author states that the naval inquiry sought to determine whether or not Homer had been insane at the time of his resignation. Dr. James H. Clark and family physician, Dr. Robert E. Peyton, provided the principal evidence for insanity. The insanity plea was ruled out by Dr. Henry H. Smith, Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. The resignation of Homer is also discussed.