John Simon (pathologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
John Simon
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Lithograph of John Simon by Charles Baugniet (1848)
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| Born | 10 October 1816 |
| Died | 23 July 1904 |
| Occupation | Chief Medical Officer |
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Sir John Simon (born October 10, 1816 – died July 23, 1904) was an important English doctor. He was a pathologist, which means he studied diseases. He was also a surgeon, a doctor who performs operations. Most importantly, he worked to improve public health for everyone. He became the very first Chief Medical Officer for the British government. He held this important job from 1855 to 1876.
Early Life and Education
John Simon was born in London. His father, Louis Michael Simon, was a stockbroker, someone who buys and sells stocks. John started his medical training in 1833. He became an apprentice to a surgeon named Joseph Henry Green. This meant he learned by working closely with an experienced surgeon.
He studied at King's College and St Thomas' Hospital in London. In 1838, he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. This is a professional group for surgeons. In 1845, he won a special award called the Astley Cooper Prize. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Society in the same year. This is a very respected group for scientists.
Work in Public Health
In the mid-1800s, the government started to focus on making people healthier. This was a new idea called public health. In 1848, a law called the Public Health Act was passed. This law helped create a General Board of Health.
In the same year, John Simon got a new job. He became the Medical Officer of Health for London for the City of London. He was only the second person in the country to have such a role. His job was to look after the health of the people in London. He worked in this position until 1855.
Chief Medical Officer
The General Board of Health changed in 1853. In 1855, Simon became the board's Chief Medical Officer. This was a very important role. The General Board only lasted until 1858. After it closed, Simon's job as Chief Medical Officer moved to the Privy Council. The Privy Council is a group of advisors to the King or Queen.
From 1867 to 1869, he was the President of the Pathological Society of London. This group focused on studying diseases.
Recognition
Sir John Simon's name is honored on the Frieze of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. A frieze is a long strip of decoration, often with names or pictures. Twenty-three important people in public health were chosen for this honor. Their names were placed on the school building when it was built in 1926.
