Benjamin Travers facts for kids
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Benjamin Travers (born April 3, 1783 – died March 6, 1858) was a very important British surgeon. He was especially good at understanding how the eye works and what can go wrong with it. From 1857 until he passed away, he held the special title of Serjeant Surgeon, meaning he was a doctor who served the Royal Household.
Contents
Benjamin Travers: A Pioneer in Eye Surgery
His Early Life and Education
Benjamin Travers was born on April 3, 1783, in Cheapside, London. He was the second of ten children. His father, also named Benjamin Travers, worked as a sugar broker in London.
Benjamin went to Cheshunt Grammar School. After that, he had private lessons. In 1799, he started working in his father's business.
Becoming a Surgeon
In August 1800, Benjamin Travers began training to become a surgeon. He worked for six years with a famous surgeon named Astley Cooper.
By 1807, he opened his own medical practice in London. He also became a Demonstrator of Anatomy at Guy's Hospital. This meant he helped teach students about the human body.
In 1810, he became a surgeon at the London Infirmary for Diseases of the Eye. This hospital later became the famous Moorfields Ophthalmic Hospital. He was later joined there by another well-known surgeon, William Lawrence.
In May 1815, Benjamin Travers was chosen to be a surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital. He worked there until he retired in 1841.
Working with Royalty and Recognition
When Queen Victoria set up her medical team, Benjamin Travers was appointed as a Surgeon Extraordinary. This was a special role. Later, he became a Surgeon in Ordinary to the Prince Consort. In 1857, he received the very important title of Serjeant Surgeon.
In 1813, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a great honor for scientists and researchers. He was also the President of the Hunterian Society in 1827. He served on their council for many years.
Family and Later Years
Benjamin Travers was married three times and had a large family. His eldest son was also named Benjamin.
He passed away at his home in Green Street, London, on March 6, 1858. He was buried in Hendon, Middlesex.
