John Thomson (physician) facts for kids

John Thomson (1765–1846) was a very smart Scottish doctor and surgeon. Many people at the time called him "the most learned physician in Scotland." He was also the head of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1834 to 1836.

John Thomson's Early Life and Education

John Thomson was born in Paisley, Scotland, on March 15, 1765. His father, Joseph Thomson, was a silk-weaver. When John was 11, he started working as an apprentice for his father.

After seven years, his father wanted him to become a minister. However, John decided to study medicine instead. In 1785, he began training with Dr. John White in Paisley for three years.

Studying Medicine in Glasgow and Edinburgh

In 1788, Thomson started studying at the University of Glasgow. The next year, he moved to Edinburgh to continue his medical training.

In 1790, he became an assistant at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. A year later, he became a house-surgeon there. He also joined the Royal Medical Society and was elected one of its presidents.

In 1792, Thomson went to London to study at John Hunter's famous medical school.

Becoming a Surgeon and Teacher

When he returned to Edinburgh in 1793, Thomson became a member of the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He worked as a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary.

He also studied chemistry and began teaching it from his home. In 1800, he became one of the main surgeons at the Royal Infirmary. He started teaching surgery and chemistry to students.

Thomson also taught courses for military surgeons. He even went to London to become a hospital mate in the Army. This would allow him to lead a military hospital if needed.

Becoming a Professor in Edinburgh

In 1805, the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh created a new position for a surgery professor. John Thomson was chosen for this important role.

The King also appointed him as a professor of military surgery at the University of Edinburgh in 1806. In 1808, he earned his medical degree (MD) from the University and King's College, Aberdeen.

Later Academic Career

In 1810, Thomson left his job at the Royal Infirmary. However, he continued to give lectures.

He became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1812. Later, in 1824, he was also elected a member of the Royal Society of London. These were great honors for a scientist.

In 1814, he traveled around Europe to visit different medical schools. He became a licensed physician in 1815. That summer, he observed how wounded soldiers were treated after the Battle of Waterloo.

New Medical Initiatives

In 1815, Thomson helped start the Edinburgh New Town dispensary. This was a place where people could get medical care.

He also gave lectures on eye diseases in 1819. This helped lead to the creation of Edinburgh's first eye hospital in 1824.

From 1822 to 1826, he studied general pathology, which is the study of diseases. In 1832, he became a professor of general pathology at Edinburgh.

John Thomson's Last Years

John Thomson's health began to decline in his later years. He stopped seeing patients after 1835. He resigned from his professorship in 1841, as others had been performing his duties for some time.

He passed away on October 11, 1846, at Morland Cottage in Edinburgh. He is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in central Edinburgh.

John Thomson's Important Works

Thomson wrote many important papers and books, including:

• Lectures on Inflammation (1813): This book was based on his lectures about inflammation, a common medical problem. It was very influential and translated into several languages.
• He also wrote about smallpox and vaccination in 1820 and 1822.
• He wrote a biography of another famous doctor, William Cullen.

John Thomson's Family

John Thomson was married twice. His first wife, Margaret Crawford, passed away in 1804. They had three children, but only one, William, survived. William later became a professor of medicine.

In 1806, John married Margaret Millar. They had two children who lived to adulthood: Allen Thomson and Margaret Mylne.

John Thomson was also the grandfather of John Millar Thomson.