| Description Of Item | Oil on canvas, 205.7 x 137 cm
James Young Simpson (1811–1870) was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, the youngest of seven sons of David Simpson, baker. His mother, Mary Jervay, was 40 when James was born, her eighth child; she died at the age of 49 and Mary, her only daughter, took her place in the home.
James went to Edinburgh University and obtained the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; he graduated with an MD in 1832. He commenced general practice in the Stockbridge district of Edinburgh, with a special interest in midwifery, and early in his career conducted research into the relief of pain; 10 years before the discovery of chloroform, Dr Simpson and Dr John Abercrombie experimented with hypnotism. He was 29 when the Town Council of Edinburgh selected him to succeed Professor Hamilton in the Chair of Midwifery. From then until the end of his life his career was one continued success in obstetrics, gynaecology, medicine and anaesthesia.
Artist: Norman Macbeth |