William Tilbury Fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Tilbury Fox
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| Born | 1836 |
| Died | 7 June 1879 Paris, France
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University College London |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | medicine, dermatology |
| Institutions | University College Hospital |
William Tilbury Fox (1836 – 7 June 1879) was an English doctor who became an expert in dermatology, which is the study of skin diseases. He helped make dermatology a more respected and important part of medicine.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Tilbury Fox was born in 1836 in Broughton, Hampshire, England. His father, Luther Owen Fox, was also a doctor. William's brother, Thomas Colcott Fox, also became a skin doctor later on.
In 1853, William started studying medicine at the University College Hospital medical school. He worked hard and graduated in 1857. The next year, in 1858, he earned his MD degree, which means he was a fully qualified doctor.
Starting His Medical Career
William Tilbury Fox's first job was at University College Hospital. He worked as a "house physician" for Sir William Jenner. Sir William Jenner was in charge of the skin department there. This was an important start for William's future work with skin conditions.
After this, William worked at other hospitals and even in a general doctor's office. For a while, he thought about specializing in obstetrics, which is the branch of medicine that deals with childbirth. He even took a job helping mothers during childbirth at the Farringdon General Dispensary. He also worked at St John's Hospital for Skin Diseases.
Becoming a Skin Expert
In 1863, William Tilbury Fox published a very important book called Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin. In this book, he was the first doctor in the UK to really study and explain dermatophytosis, which is commonly known as ringworm. He looked closely at what caused ringworm and how it affected the body. This book helped doctors understand these skin problems much better.
After writing this book, William decided that his true passion was dermatology, not helping with childbirth. So, he chose to focus all his efforts on studying and treating skin diseases.
Studying Skin Diseases Around the World
In 1864, William Tilbury Fox became interested in skin diseases that are common in warmer, tropical countries. He traveled to India with the Earl of Hopetoun to learn more. This trip helped him understand how different environments could affect skin health.
Because of his trip to India, he later helped prepare a report in 1872 called Scheme for obtaining a better knowledge of endemic skin diseases in India. This report was for the India Office and aimed to improve understanding of skin problems common in India.
Building the Field of Dermatology
In 1866, William Tilbury Fox became a doctor in the skin department at Charing Cross Hospital. Then, in 1868, he returned to University College Hospital to lead the dermatology department.
In the 1870s, another important doctor named Henry Radcliffe Crocker worked with Fox in the dermatology department at University College Hospital. At that time, many doctors in the United Kingdom didn't think specializing in one area of medicine was a good idea. But William Tilbury Fox and Henry Radcliffe Crocker helped change this. They worked hard to organize and improve the study of skin diseases, making dermatology a more recognized and respected field of medicine.
William Tilbury Fox wrote many articles and books about skin conditions. In 1875, he updated an important book called Atlas of Skin Diseases by Robert Willan. He also worked as an editor for The Lancet, which is a very famous medical journal.
Later Life and Legacy
William Tilbury Fox passed away on 7 June 1879, in Paris, France, when he was 43 years old. He died from a heart condition. He was buried in Willesden cemetery in London.
William Tilbury Fox made lasting contributions to medicine. He helped doctors better understand and treat skin diseases, especially those caused by parasites. His work helped establish dermatology as an important and structured medical specialty in the United Kingdom.
