Biography of 	DE VILLENEUVE, (Dr.) A. B., Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller January 1999

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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.