Wright-St Clair, Rex E Doctors Monro, A Medical Saga , London: Wellcome Historical Medical Library, 1964First edition. Red cloth, gilt, 8 bw plates, family tree, index Pagination: xiii, 190. In 1694 John Monro, surgeon son of Sir Alexander Monro, returned to his native Scotland from Leyden inspired with the idea of establishing a great medical school and teaching hospital in Edinburgh on the Leyden pattern. Although he himself never attained public position he must be regarded as the real founder of the Edinburgh medical school, for much of the success of the whole scheme depended upon his planning and unceasing efforts. He lived to see his project a complete success when, with his son Alexander installed in 1725 as first Professor of Anatomy, Edinburgh was becoming recognised as one of the leading centres of medical teaching in the world.<P>Dr Wright-St Clair traces the record of Sir Alexander Monro’s medical descendants who, besides John and the three Alexanders who reigned supreme for 126 years as Professors of Anatomy in the University of Edinburgh, include eleven doctors in the direct line. The fifth generation was represented by Dr David Monro, who emigrated to New Zealand and was knighted for his services as the first Speaker of the House of Assembly. Dr David’s descendants continue to produce doctors down to the eighth generation.<P>The story is based on unpublished material from the main Monro collections of documents in Edinburgh, Dunedin (where they were deposited by Sir David’s descendants) and in private hands. In addition Dr Wright St Clair has used extracts from the minutes of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians of Edinburgh, and of the Edinburgh Town Council, to illuminate the devious political machinations and bitter personal rivalries which inevitably centred around so powerful a family monopoly.. Book: head sl bumped, Near-Fine, Jacket: clipped, a little edge wear with short tear to upper edge, rear cover a little dusty, VG- (Book ref. 3154 ) £ 18.00 The payment methods accepted by the seller, www.oldscottishbooks.com , are shown in the right-hand column. |
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