Joseph Fayrer facts for kids
Sir Joseph Fayrer (born December 6, 1824 – died May 21, 1907) was a famous British doctor. He worked as a top surgeon in India. He was known for his medical writings and for improving public health. He also studied how to treat snakebites in India. He didn't believe that tiny germs caused diseases like cholera, which was a different idea from what some scientists thought at the time.
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Early Life and Medical Training
Joseph Fayrer was born in Plymouth, England. His father was a Commander in the Royal Navy. When Joseph was young, his family lived in Westmorland. There, he met famous writers like William Wordsworth.
In 1843, Joseph traveled with his father to Bermuda. An outbreak of yellow fever there made him very interested in medicine. He decided to become a doctor. In 1844, he began studying medicine in London. He became a surgeon in 1847. He even worked as a medical officer on the famous ship HMS Victory.
After this, he traveled around Europe. He saw some fighting in Palermo and Rome. He continued his medical studies in Rome and became a doctor in 1849.
Working as a Doctor in India
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In 1850, Joseph Fayrer became an assistant surgeon in the Indian Medical Service. He worked in different parts of Bengal. He also served as a field surgeon during the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852.
Because of his good work, he became a special assistant and surgeon in Lucknow in 1853. In 1855, he married Bethia Mary Spens in Lucknow. During the Indian Mutiny in 1857, his home in Lucknow became a hospital and a safe place. His wife and child survived this difficult time.
In 1858, he returned to England for a short break. He earned another medical degree from the University of Edinburgh.
Return to India and Important Work
Joseph Fayrer went back to India in 1859. He became a professor of surgery at the Medical College of Calcutta. He was also a personal surgeon to important leaders, including Lord Mayo. Later, he joined the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII) as his doctor during a trip to India. In 1901, he became a special physician to King Edward VII.
Fayrer was very interested in public health. He believed that diseases were linked to certain places, and factors like air and water. He did not agree with the idea that tiny germs caused diseases like cholera.
Studying Snakes and Public Health
Fayrer became a member of the Royal Society in 1877. He wrote many books about medicine in India. He was especially known for his studies on poisonous snakes in India. He researched how snake venom affected the body. His famous book, Thanatophidia of India (1872), showed his detailed work. The Indian government printed this book, and artists from Calcutta helped illustrate it.
He also helped create a zoological garden in Calcutta. The Prince of Wales opened it in 1875. Fayrer was interested in wild animals and even wrote a book about tigers. He also helped bring pygmy hogs to the Zoological Society of London.
In 1900, he wrote his life story called Recollections of my Life. Fayrer knew several languages, including Persian and Italian. He was also interested in the study of human cultures.
After he retired, he enjoyed deep-sea fishing and yachting. He passed away at his home in Falmouth, Cornwall, on May 21, 1907.
Honours and Awards
Joseph Fayrer received many honours for his important work.
- In 1868, he was made a Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI).
- In 1876, he was promoted to Knight Commander (KCSI). That same year, he was in charge of the Prince of Wales's health during his visit to India.
- On February 11, 1896, he was given the title of baronet. This meant he became "Sir Joseph Fayrer, 1st Baronet."
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Family Life
Sir Joseph Fayrer married Bethia Mary Spens on October 4, 1855. They had six sons and two daughters. His son, Sir Joseph Fayrer, 2nd Baronet, took over his title after him. His daughter, Bethia Marion Fayrer, is buried in Canongate Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
