Benjamin Alcock facts for kids

Benjamin Alcock (1801 – 1865) was an important Irish doctor who studied the human body, known as an anatomist. He is remembered for describing a special pathway in the body called Alcock's canal. This canal, now usually called the pudendal canal, is a small space that protects a nerve. Sometimes, this nerve can get squeezed, causing a condition known as Alcock canal syndrome or pudendal nerve entrapment, which can cause pain.

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Alcock was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1801. He was the oldest of five children. His father, Nathaniel Alcock, was also a doctor. Benjamin went to Kilkenny College and then studied at Trinity College Dublin starting in 1816. He was very good at his studies, coming first in his entrance exam. He earned his first degree in 1821.

Becoming a Doctor and Teacher

In 1825, Benjamin Alcock became a licensed surgeon with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He continued his medical studies and earned his M.B. degree from Trinity College Dublin in 1827. That same year, he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

Alcock started teaching anatomy in 1825. He first worked as a Demonstrator of Anatomy, helping students learn about the body. Later, in 1838, he became a Professor of Anatomy at Apothecaries Hall. In 1849, he moved to Queen's College, Cork to become the first Professor of Anatomy and Physiology there.

A Difficult Time in Cork

While working at Queen's College, Cork, Professor Alcock faced some challenges. He had disagreements about the resources provided for his department and how student fees were used.

A more serious problem arose concerning how medical students could get bodies for their anatomy lessons. At that time, the Anatomy Act 1832 allowed this, but only if the legal owner and the family agreed. During the Great Famine, many people died in Workhouses, and sometimes their families could not afford to bury them. The college needed bodies for teaching, but the Workhouse leaders did not want bad publicity.

The college authorities suggested a way to get around the rules. They wanted Professor Alcock to pretend to be a relative of those who had died alone. However, Alcock strongly refused. He believed this was against the law and could lead to him being prosecuted. Because of this disagreement, students began to leave the college. After much discussion, the government asked Alcock to resign in 1854, which he did.

Moving to America

After leaving his position, Benjamin Alcock tried to get his job back, but he was unsuccessful. He decided to move to America. He arrived in New York in 1859 and later became a United States citizen.

In America, he married Sarah, who had a daughter named Ellen from a previous marriage. They built a home in Hammondsport, New York, which was a growing town known for wine. It is not known if he continued to practice medicine or anatomy there. Benjamin Alcock passed away in Hammondsport in 1865. He made sure his adoptive daughter, Ellen, was cared for in his will. Sarah, his wife, passed away in 1883 and is buried with him.