George Murray Humphry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
George M. Humphry
FRS
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George Murray Humphry in 1881
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| Born | 18 July 1820 |
| Died | 24 September 1896 (aged 76) Cambridge
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | London University; Downing College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Professor of human anatomy |
| Known for | Fellow of the Royal Society; Hunterian orator; Rede Lecture |
Sir George Murray Humphry (born July 18, 1820 – died September 24, 1896) was a very important doctor and teacher. He was a professor of how the body works (physiology) and how it is built (anatomy) at Cambridge University. He was also a surgeon, meaning he performed operations. He studied aging (gerontology) and wrote many medical books. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.
Life and Career
George Murray Humphry was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, on July 18, 1820. His father, William Wood Humphry, was a lawyer. George went to grammar schools in Sudbury and Dedham.
In 1836, he started training with John Green Crosse, a surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Later, in 1839, he moved to London to study at St Bartholomew's Hospital. There, he learned from famous doctors like William Lawrence and James Paget.
He did very well in his first medical exams at London University in 1840. He even won a gold medal for his knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
In 1842, at just 22 years old, Humphry became a surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. This made him the youngest hospital surgeon in England at the time. He started teaching surgery and giving lectures.
From 1847 to 1866, he taught human anatomy at Cambridge University. He also became a student at Downing College, Cambridge, earning his medical degrees in 1852 and 1859.
In 1866, he became the Professor of Human Anatomy at Cambridge. He held this important job until 1883. After that, he became the Professor of Surgery, a new role.
Sir George was also very active in many medical groups. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1859. This is a group of the most important scientists in the UK. He also served on their council.
He held many positions at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He was a council member and gave lectures on anatomy. He was knighted in 1891, which means he received the title "Sir" for his contributions.
Humphry passed away on September 24, 1896, in Cambridge. He is buried at Mill Road Cemetery. A statue of him was given to Addenbrooke's Hospital to remember his work.
Key Works and Contributions
Sir George Murray Humphry was a pioneer in connecting human anatomy with how living things are structured (morphology). He was also the first surgeon in England to successfully remove a tumor from a man's bladder.
He wrote several important books and helped start a major medical journal:
- A Treatise on the Human Skeleton, including the Joints (1858): This book was about the human bones and joints. His wife even drew the pictures for it!
- On the Coagulation of the Blood in the Venous System during Life (1859): This work looked at how blood clots in veins.
- The Human Foot and the Human Hand (1861): This book focused on the detailed structure of our feet and hands.
- Observations in Myology (1872): This book was about muscles.
- Old Age: the Results of Information received respecting nearly Nine Hundred Persons who had attained the Age of Eighty Years, including Seventy-four Centenarians (1889): This was a special study where he collected information about many elderly people, including those over 100 years old.
He also helped create and edit the Journal of Anatomy and Physiology starting in 1866. This journal became a very important place for doctors and scientists to share their research.
Family Life
In September 1849, George Murray Humphry married Mary McNab. She was the daughter of Daniel Robert McNab, a surgeon from Epping. They had one daughter and one son, Alfred Paget Humphry. Alfred later became a senior official at Cambridge University.
