| Description | Home, son of Francis Home (1719-1813), studied medicine at Edinburgh University and succeeded his father as professor of materia medica at Edinburgh in 1798. He was so successful that he raised the attendance at his class from 50 to 310 students, even though his lectures were given at 8am in winter. In 1821, on the death of James Gregory, he obtained the professorship of physic after a severe contest; his Tory political views agreed with those of the majority of the town council, who were the patrons. He was, however, more than sixty years old, and failed in his new post from the first. In later years his classroom was a scene of great disorder. Nevertheless, he continued to lecture until his death on 5 December 1844. Home was president of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1787.
[Source: Dictionary of National Biography]
Contents: Household accounts of Ann Home, 1803-1846; cash books for estate of Cowdenknows, 1811-1839; note book of James Home, 1802-1830; account book, 1804-1812; rental book, 1812-1836 |