James Hamilton (Scottish physician)

Prof James Hamilton FRSE FRCSE FRCPE (1767-1839) was a Scottish physician. He was a co-founder of the Lying-In Hospital in Edinburgh in 1791. He was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1812 to 1815. He was Professor of Medicine and Midwifery at Edinburgh University from 1800 to 1839.[1]

Life

The Hamilton vault, St Cuthbert's Churchyard, Edinburgh

He was born in Edinburgh in 1767 the son of Dr Alexander Hamilton. He attended the High School in Edinburgh then studied Medicine at Edinburgh University (in part under his father). He also studied at Paris, Leiden and St Andrews University, receiving his doctorate (MD) from the latter in 1792.[2]

In 1800 he succeeded his father as Professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University.

In 1824 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, his proposer being Prof Andrew Coventry.[3]

In 1825 he infamously fell out with fellow Edinburgh doctor James Crawford Gregory as to whether or not Midwifery should be a compulsory component of the university course. He bypassed the Senate of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on this issue, and received consent direct from the Lord Provost, William Trotter. When Gregory next met him he beat him ferociously with his cane. He was fined £100 for the assault.[4]

He lived at 23 St Andrew Square in Edinburgh's New Town.[5]

He died on 21 November 1839 and was buried with his family in St Cuthberts Churchyard in Edinburgh. The family vault lies to the south-east of the church close to the entrance to Princes Street Gardens. His professorship was filled by James Young Simpson.

Publications

Family

He was married at least twice: firstly to Isabella (1770-1809) and then to Mary Anne (1775-1837).

His younger brother was Rev Henry Parr Hamilton.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/notablefellows_1.pdf
  2. ↑ https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/notablefellows_1.pdf
  3. ↑ BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF FORMER FELLOWS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 1783 – 2002 (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN 0 902 198 84 X.
  4. ↑ https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/notablefellows_1.pdf
  5. ↑ Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1838-39
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