John Sibbald, a descendant of Sir Robert Sibbald, was born in Edinburgh and educated at Merchiston Castle School and the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated MD in 1854. After appointments at Perth Infirmary and Brompton Hospital, London, he returned to Edinburgh as Assistant Physician to Dr Skae at the Royal Asylum. During periods of leave he travelled extensively and was particularly influenced by Griesinger's colony system in Berlin.
