Richard Bright (physician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Bright
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Richard Bright
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| Born | 28 September 1789 |
| Died | 16 December 1858 (aged 69) London
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Richard Bright (born September 28, 1789 – died December 16, 1858) was an important English doctor. He was one of the first people to study kidney diseases in detail. He is especially famous for describing a kidney problem that became known as Bright's disease.
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Richard Bright's Life Story
Richard Bright was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. He was the third son of a wealthy merchant and banker, also named Richard Bright. His father was interested in science and encouraged young Richard to think about a science career.
In 1808, Richard Bright Jr. started studying at the University of Edinburgh. He first studied philosophy, economics, and mathematics. But the next year, he switched to medicine. In 1810, he went on a summer trip to Iceland with Sir George Mackenzie. On this trip, Bright studied nature.
After his trip, Bright continued his medical studies at Guy's Hospital in London. In September 1813, he went back to Edinburgh and earned his medical degree.
His Work at Guy's Hospital
During the 1820s and 1830s, Bright worked again at Guy's Hospital. He taught, treated patients, and did medical research there. He worked with two other famous doctors, Thomas Addison and Thomas Hodgkin.
Bright's research focused on the causes and symptoms of kidney disease. He was the first to clearly describe a specific kidney condition. This condition later became known as Bright's disease in his honor. Because of this important work, he is often called the "father of nephrology" (the study of kidneys). In 1821, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a very respected group of scientists.
Bright also really liked Hungary. In 1815, he lived in Festetics Castle in Keszthely. There is a large plaque there that remembers him as an English doctor, scientist, and traveler who helped describe Lake Balaton accurately.
His Later Life and Death
On December 11, 1858, Richard Bright became very sick because of heart disease. He passed away in London at the age of 69. He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. There is also a special memorial for him inside St James's Church, Piccadilly.
Richard Bright had two sons. His younger son also became a doctor. His older son, James Franck Bright, became a historian.
Artistic Recognition
A sculpture of Richard Bright's head, called a bust, is kept at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
See also
- Pathology
- List of pathologists
