| Description Of Item | Oil on canvas, 78.7 x 66 cm
Born in Bailie Fyfe's Close, High Street, Edinburgh, Alexander Morison was the son of a lawyer. He was educated at Edinburgh's High School and then apprenticed to Dr Alexander Wood at the age of 15. He graduated with a MD from Edinburgh in 1799, becoming a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1800.
After graduation, Dr Morison practised in Half Moon Street, London, but was unsuccessful and so turned his interests to agriculture and social activities. However, through the help of influential friends he was appointed Visiting Physician to the Private Lunatic Asylum in Surrey in 1809, a post he held for over 50 years. He later became Physician to the Royal Hospital of Bethlem and Bridewell. He bequeathed his house, Larchgrove, Balerno, to the College. The sum realised from its sale was used to establish the Morison Lectureship, and to purchase prizes for nurses with long and faithful service to the insane.
Artist: Philip Westcott |