 On November 26 , 1784 , McKnight was appointed one of the first regents of the University of the State of New York . In 1785 , McKnight became professor of anatomy and surgery at Columbia College ( now the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons ) , which his father @-@ in @-@ law co @-@ founded . He also was appointed Port Physician of New York . McKnight maintained a steady surgical practice and held his professorship until his death from pneumonia , the result of an old war injury , on November 16 , 1791 at age 41 . 
