John Parsons (physician) facts for kids

John Parsons (born in 1742 – died in 1785) was an English physician. A physician is a doctor who helps people stay healthy and treats them when they are sick.

John Parsons was an important doctor and teacher in his time. He was known for his work in medicine and for helping to build a special place for studying anatomy at Christ Church, Oxford.

Early Life and Education

John Parsons was born in York in 1742. His father was an army officer, Major Parsons, who lived in Yorkshire.

John went to Westminster School, a famous school in London. In 1756, he became a "king's scholar," which meant he was a talented student chosen to receive special support for his education.

In 1759, John Parsons was accepted into Christ Church, Oxford, one of the colleges at the famous University of Oxford. He officially joined the university on June 19. He worked hard and earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1763, and a master's degree (M.A.) in 1766.

Medical Career and Teaching

After his studies at Oxford, John Parsons continued to learn medicine in London and Edinburgh. He was very interested in natural history and botany, which is the study of plants. In 1766, while in Edinburgh, he won a special award called the Hope prize medal for creating the best Hortus Siccus, which is a collection of carefully dried and preserved plants.

Around 1766 or 1767, he became the very first professor of anatomy at Christ Church, Oxford. This position was created thanks to gifts from two other physicians, John Freind and Matthew Lee. As a professor of anatomy, he taught students about the human body.

Parsons continued his medical degrees, earning his M.B. (Bachelor of Medicine) in 1769 and his M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in 1772.

He held several important roles at Oxford University. In 1769, he became a "reader in anatomy," which meant he gave lectures on the subject. In 1772, he became a doctor at the Radcliffe Infirmary, a hospital in Oxford. From 1780 to 1785, he was also the first "clinical professor," teaching students by showing them how to treat real patients.

Under his guidance, a special building called an anatomical theatre was built at Oxford. This was a place where students could learn about anatomy through dissections and lectures.

In 1774, Parsons joined the Royal College of Physicians, a respected organization for doctors in London. He became a full member, or "fellow," a year later. In 1784, he gave an important speech called the Harveian oration, which is a lecture given each year in honor of William Harvey, a famous doctor who discovered how blood circulates.

Personal Life and Death

In July 1772, John Parsons married Anne Hough.

Sadly, John Parsons died from a fever on April 9, 1785, when he was 43 years old. He was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. A white marble gravestone was placed there to remember him. After his death, his wife Anne married John Grosvenor.