Charles Bernard (surgeon) facts for kids

Charles Bernard

Charles Bernard (born around 1652 – died 1710) was a famous English surgeon. He was a member of the important Royal Society and led the Barber Surgeons' Company in 1703.

Life of Charles Bernard

Charles Bernard was born in Waddon, Surrey. His father was Samuel Bernard, a former vicar. Charles also had a brother named Francis Bernard, who became a physician. In 1670, Charles began training to be a surgeon under Henry Boone.

In 1686, Charles Bernard was chosen to be a surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. This was a special request from the king. He became a member of the Royal Society in 1696. This group is for important scientists and thinkers.

Bernard was known as the top surgeon in London during his time. He was famous for saving the leg of a young boy named Benjamin Hoadly. Benjamin later became a bishop. Charles Bernard stopped the leg from needing to be cut off. In the first year of her rule, he became the main surgeon, called a sergeant-surgeon, to Queen Anne.

Charles Bernard passed away on October 9, 1710, in Longleat. He was there to treat Thomas Thynne, 1st Viscount Weymouth. Bernard loved books very much. After he died, his large collection of books was sold at an auction on March 22, 1711.

Bernard's Family

In 1679, Charles Bernard married Susanna Gardner. They had one son and three daughters. One of their daughters, Elizabeth, married Ambrose Dickins. Ambrose was also a surgeon who trained with Bernard. He later became a physician and a member of the Royal Society. Another daughter married William Wagstaffe.

Charles Bernard Lectures

The Barber Surgeons' Company started a series of special talks called the Charles Bernard Lectures. These talks are named in his honor. The very first lecture was given in 2001 by Rodney Hemingfield Taylor (1942–2017).