William Hey (surgeon) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Hey
William Hey, 1816 stipple engraving
Born	23 August 1736 Pudsey, Leeds
Died	23 March 1819
Occupation	Surgeon, Politician

William Hey (born August 23, 1736 – died March 23, 1819) was a very important English surgeon. A surgeon is a doctor who performs operations. William Hey was born in a place called Pudsey in West Riding of Yorkshire. His parents were Richard Hey and Mary Simpson. He also had two brothers, John Hey and Richard Hey.

William Hey worked at the Leeds General Infirmary. This was a hospital in Leeds. He started there when it first opened in 1776. He became a senior surgeon, a very experienced doctor, and worked there until 1812.

William Hey's Medical Legacy

William Hey was so skilled that several medical terms and tools are named after him. These names help remember his important contributions to medicine.

Famous Medical Discoveries

• Hey's amputation: This is a specific type of surgery. It involves removing part of the foot.
• Hey's internal derangement: This refers to a problem with the knee joint. Specifically, it's about a dislocation of certain knee cartilages.
• Hey's ligament: This is a specific part of the body's anatomy. It's a small band of tissue in the leg.
• Hey's saw: This was a special tool. Doctors used it for operations on the skull.

A Leader in Leeds

William Hey was not only a great surgeon. He was also very active in his community. He helped lead the city of Leeds.

Serving as Mayor

Hey was chosen to be the mayor of Leeds two times. He served as mayor from 1787 to 1788. He was also mayor again from 1802 to 1803. The mayor is the head of a city's government.

Other Important Roles

In 1783, William Hey became the President of the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society. This group was for people who loved learning and discussing new ideas. He also helped start the Leeds Club. This was a place where important people in the city could meet. In 1775, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists and thinkers. He was also one of the people who helped create the Leeds Library. He worked with his friend Joseph Priestley and other leaders. These leaders included surgeons, religious figures, and business owners.

Hey Family's Legacy

William Hey's family also had a strong connection to medicine. His work inspired his children and grandchildren.

Continuing the Tradition

William Hey married Alice Banks in 1761. They had several children together. Two of their sons followed in their father's footsteps. William Hey (1772–1844) and Richard Hey both became surgeons. They worked alongside their father.

Next Generation of Surgeons

The family's medical tradition continued even further. William Hey III (1796–1875) was William Hey's grandson. He became a surgeon at the Leeds Infirmary in 1830. He took over the family's medical practice in 1844. William Hey III married a poet named Rebecca Hey in 1821.