Thomas Clouston facts for kids
Sir Thomas Smith Clouston (born April 22, 1840 – died April 19, 1915) was a Scottish doctor who specialized in mental health, known as a psychiatrist. He was a very important person in the field of mental health in his time.
Contents
Who Was Thomas Clouston?
Early Life and Family Background
Thomas Clouston was born in Orkney, Scotland. He was the youngest of four sons. His family, the Cloustons, had a long history in Orkney. They were descendants of Havard Gunnason, who was an important advisor to an Earl of Orkney way back in the year 1090. The family later became landowners and took their name from their estate, Clouston.
Education and Early Career
Thomas Clouston went to Aberdeen Grammar School and then studied at the University of Edinburgh. He earned his medical degree (M.D.) from Edinburgh. For his final project, he studied the nervous system of a lobster! His supervisor was a famous scientist named John Goodsir.
Clouston became very interested in mental health early on. He trained with David Skae, who was a leading expert at the Royal Edinburgh Asylum.
A Leader in Mental Health Care
Becoming a Superintendent
In 1863, when he was just 23, Clouston became the superintendent (the head doctor) of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Asylum in Carlisle. This was a big responsibility for someone so young.
Then, in 1873, he returned to Edinburgh. He took over from his old mentor, David Skae, as the superintendent of the new Royal Edinburgh Asylum. This hospital was set up with new, modern ideas about how to care for people with mental health conditions.
Teaching and Writing About Mental Health
In 1879, Thomas Clouston made history. He became the very first lecturer on mental diseases at the University of Edinburgh. He taught students about psychiatric disorders, especially those affecting teenagers. He was known around the world for his excellent teaching.
Clouston also wrote many books and articles. His first important book was Clinical Lectures on Mental Diseases (1883). Later, he wrote a more popular book called Unsoundness of Mind (1911). These books helped share his knowledge with many other doctors and the public.
Honors and Achievements
Clouston received many honors for his work.
- In 1875, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group of top scientists and thinkers.
- In 1888, he was the President of the Medico-Psychological Association. This was a major organization for mental health doctors.
- From 1902 to 1904, he was the President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
In 1894, he opened a new part of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum called Craig House. Years later, in 1972, this building was renamed the Thomas Clouston Clinic in his honor.
Later Life and Legacy
Retirement and Knighthood
Thomas Clouston retired in 1908. In 1911, he was knighted, which means he received the title "Sir" from the King. This was a great honor for his important work.
He is remembered with a special plaque in St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. He also received the "Freedom of the Burgh" of Kirkwall in 1908.
Family and Passing
Sir Thomas Clouston lived in a beautiful house in Edinburgh's New Town at the end of his life. He passed away in Edinburgh on April 19, 1915. He is buried in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh with his wife, Dame Harriet Secur Storer. His daughter, Augusta Maud Clouston, and her husband, Sir David Wallace, are also buried nearby.
His son, Storer Clouston, became a well-known author.
Images for kids
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Thomas Clouston memorial in Kirkwall Cathedral, Orkney
