James Towers (obstetrician) facts for kids
James Towers (1757–1820) was an important Scottish doctor. He specialized in helping women during childbirth. This type of doctor is called an obstetrician. He became the very first special professor of this subject at the University of Glasgow.
Early Life and Education
James Towers was born in 1757. His birthplace was Quoigs Farm, which is near a town called Dunblane in Scotland. He chose to study medicine. He attended the University of Edinburgh, where he finished his studies around 1777.
A Pioneer in Childbirth Care
After his university studies, James Towers became a skilled surgeon. He gained hands-on training in obstetrics, which is the field of helping women give birth. He trained at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and also in London.
In 1790, James Towers asked to teach about obstetrics at the University of Glasgow. This was a very new idea at the time. He became the first person to hold such a position there. Later, in 1815, he was officially named the first professor of midwifery. Midwifery is another word for helping with childbirth. This showed how important his work was.
Later Life and Legacy
James Towers passed away at his home in central Glasgow on July 24, 1820. He was 63 years old. He was first buried at Blackfriars Churchyard. Later, in the mid-1800s, his remains were moved to the Glasgow Necropolis. This happened when the churchyard was changed and redeveloped.
Family Life
James Towers married Helen McLehose in Glasgow in 1790. They had two sons. Their son William Towers-Clark (1805–1870) became a lawyer. He was also a leader in the Faculty of Procurators.
Their other son was John Towers (1791–1833). John followed in his father's footsteps. He took over his father's special professor role at the university. He became the second professor of midwifery.
