Back to Physicians Database
James Young Simpson
Fellow
Date of Fellowship admission: 4 October 1836
James Young Simpson was born in Bathgate, Linlithgowshire. He entered Edinburgh University as an arts student in 1825 and began medical studies two years later. In 1831 he became assistant to the director of the Royal Dispensary for the Poor and graduated MD in 1832. After touring medical schools in Europe in 1835, he established an obstetric practice in Edinburgh and accepted the post of house surgeon at the City Lying-In Hospital in 1836. In 1840 he was elected Professor of Midwifery at the University of Edinburgh. In 1847 he introduced chloroform anaesthesia into obstetric practice and published his findings shortly afterwards. In 1850 he became Physician to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He was created a baronet in 1866. In the final year of his life he actively supported women's entry into medical education. Simpson died in 1870.
Related Links
Year of medical qualification
12 July 1832
Type of medical qualification
MD
Fellowship
The main qualification issued by the College, awarded regularly since the College’s foundation. This qualification was granted based on demonstrated breadth of experience and did not require an individual to pass a certain examination.
Image
