| Description Of Item | Oil on canvas, 76.2 x 63.5 cm
Born in Edinburgh, David MacLagan studied at St George's Hospital, London and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1807. He joined the 91 Regiment as medical officer and was with the expedition to the Island of Walcheren when his battalion of 1,000 was reduced by sickness and death to less than one company within a few months.
In 1811 he sailed for Lisbon to join the army under Wellington. He was appointed staff surgeon to the 9th Portuguese Brigade and was present at the taking of Badajoz and at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle and Nive. Marshal Beresford gave Dr MacLagan special notice in an order of the day and praised him for the promptitude and zeal he displayed in the care of the wounded. He was awarded the Peninsular medal with six clasps. In 1816, having retired from the army on half pay he returned to Edinburgh and commenced practice. David MacLagan was President of the Surgeons' College in 1826 and of the Physicians' in 1856.
Artist: Unknown |