Monro of Fyrish facts for kids
The Monro of Fyrish family was a Scottish family. They were a branch of the old Clan Munro. This family became famous for a line of doctors in London during the 1700s and 1800s. These doctors did important early work on helping people with mental health issues.
For four generations, a Monro family member was the main doctor at the well-known Bethlem Hospital, also called Bedlam. They were also important members of medical groups. Other family members were painters, priests, and people who helped others (philanthropists). One Monro was an early supporter of the famous artist J. M. W. Turner.
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Early Family Story
Hector Munro, the first of Fyrish, was the second son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis. Robert was the chief of the Scottish clan, Clan Munro. Hector Munro received lands in Fyrish, Contullich, and Kildermorie. He had four sons and one daughter:
- William Munro, 2nd of Fyrish.
- John Munro, 3rd of Fyrish.
- George Munro, who fought in the Thirty Years' War in Europe. His son Hector also went to Germany and became a Captain.
- Hugh Munro.
- Janet Munro, who married Neil Mackay of Achness from the Clan Mackay.
William Munro, 2nd of Fyrish, had one daughter. His brother, John Munro, 3rd of Fyrish, took over after him. John's children included:
- Hugh Munro, 4th of Fyrish.
- David Munro, who became a Major in the army and died in battle.
- John Munro.
Hugh Munro, 4th of Fyrish, married Isobel Munro. Their children included:
- John Munro, 5th of Fyrish.
- David Munro, 6th of Fyrish.
- The Rev Alexander Monro, 7th of Fyrish.
- Hugh Munro, 1st of Tulloche.
Rev. Alexander Monro, 7th of Fyrish
Alexander Monro (1648–1698) was the head of the University of Edinburgh from 1685 to 1690. He had one son, Dr. James Monro.
Dr. James Monro, 8th of Fyrish
James Monro was born in 1680. He was the only son of Alexander Monro, the head of the University of Edinburgh. He studied at Balliol College, Oxford and became a doctor in 1712. He started his medical work in Greenwich in 1713, then moved to London.
In 1728, he became a doctor at Bethlem Royal Hospital. This hospital was famous for treating people with mental health problems. He became a member of the Royal College of Physicians in 1729. He died in 1752.
Dr. James Monro married Elizabeth Hay in 1707. They had several children, including Dr. John Monro, who would follow in his footsteps.
Dr. John Monro, 9th of Fyrish
John Monro was born in 1715 in Greenwich. He was the son of Dr. James Monro. He went to Merchant Taylors' School and St John's College, Oxford. He also studied in Europe. In 1747, he earned his Doctor of Medicine degree.
In 1751, he started working at Bethlem Hospital with his father. When his father died in 1752, John became the main doctor there. He was very good at studying and treating mental health issues. People praised him for his success.
Dr. John Monro retired in 1783 after becoming ill. He died in 1791. He married Elizabeth Culling Smith in 1753. Among their children was Dr. Thomas Monro, who would continue the family's medical work. Another son, James Monro, became a ship captain.
Dr. Thomas Monro
While James Monro continued the main family line, his younger brother Thomas Monro carried on the family's medical profession. Thomas was born in London in 1759. He studied at Harrow School and Oriel College, Oxford. He became a Doctor of Medicine in 1787.
He joined the Royal College of Physicians in 1791. Like his father and grandfather, he worked at Bedlam. He became the main doctor there in 1816, taking over from his father. He also cared for King George III during the king's last illness.
Monro was also an artist and helped other artists. He taught J. M. W. Turner how to do tinted drawings. He supported the careers of Turner and another landscape painter, William Henry Hunt. The famous art critic John Ruskin said that Dr. Monro was Turner's "true master."
Dr. Monro created a school for artists at his home in Bushey. Artists like Thomas Girtin, William Henry Hunt, and J. M. W. Turner spent time there. His own son, Alexander, was also a talented watercolor artist.
Dr. Thomas Monro died in 1833. He married Hannah Woodcock in 1788. Their children included:
- Dr. Edward Thomas Monro (who continued the medical line).
- Henry Monro (1791–1814), an artist. He showed his paintings at the Royal Academy. He died at age 23.
- Robert Monro.
- Alexander Monro.
Dr. Edward Thomas Monro
Edward Thomas Monro was born in 1789. He was the son of Dr. Thomas Monro. He studied at Harrow School and Oriel College, Oxford. He became a Doctor of Medicine in 1814. He joined the Royal College of Physicians in 1816.
When his father retired in 1816, Edward Thomas Monro became the main doctor at Bethlem Hospital. He was the fourth person in his family to hold this important position.
Dr. Monro was known for helping in many legal cases involving mental health. His clear and strong explanations made him popular with lawyers.
Dr. Edward Thomas Monro died in 1856. He married Sarah Cox in 1814. Their children included:
- Rev. Edward Monro (1815–66), a priest who wrote religious books.
- Dr. Henry Monro (who continued the medical line).
- Theodore Monro (1819–43), who started one of the first hospitals for people recovering from illness.
- Frederick Thomas Monro.
Dr. Henry Monro
Henry Monro was born in 1817. He was the son of Dr. Edward Thomas Monro. He studied at Harrow School and Oriel College, Oxford. He became a Doctor of Medicine in 1863.
He was a member of the Royal College of Physicians. He was also president of the Medical Psychological Association (now the Royal College of Psychiatrists) from 1864 to 1865.
For nearly 30 years, he was a consulting doctor at St. Luke's Hospital in London. This hospital also helped people with mental health issues. Dr. Henry Monro followed his family's path in mental health. He wrote several books about mental health and stammering.
In 1846, he started the House of Charity in London. He worked there for forty years, helping poor people. Important figures like future Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone helped him start this charity.
He married Jane Eliza Russell in 1842. They had several children, including:
- Russell Henry Monro.
- Edward William Monro.
- William Charles Monro.
- Henry Theodore Monro.
See also
- Bethlem Hospital
- Royal College of Physicians
- Munro of Auchinbowie, another distant branch of the Munro family.
