Henry Littlejohn (surgeon born 1826)
Encyclopedia
Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn (1826, Edinburgh
- 1914, Benreoch, near Arrochar, Argyll) was a Scottish surgeon, forensic scientist and public health
pioneer. He served as Edinburgh's first Medical Officer of Health (1862-1908), introducing model sanitation improvements and the legal requirement to notify cases of infectious diseases. He co-founded the Royal Hospital for Sick Children
in Edinburgh.
Long a lecturer for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
at Surgeons Hall, he was appointed to the chair of Medical Jurisprudence
at Edinburgh University in 1897.
Serving as Edinburgh's Police Surgeon and as Medical Advisor to the Crown in Scotland
in criminal cases, he was often called upon to give evidence as an expert witness
.
A kirk elder at the High Church of Edinburgh, Littlejohn filled several prominent posts in public life, including 9 years serving on the Royal Infirmary Board
, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
(1875-6), president of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh (1883-5), and president of the Institute of Public Health
(1893).
Although Arthur Conan Doyle
primarily credited Joseph Bell
as being the source of inspiration for his character Sherlock Holmes
, he also cited Henry Littlejohn as being a contributing influence.
Littlejohn was educated at Perth Academy
, the High School in Edinburgh, and at Edinburgh University. He was the father of the eminent surgeon Henry Harvey Littlejohn (1862-1927).
He died at Benreoch, Argyll in 1914, and was interred at the Dean Cemetery
in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
- 1914, Benreoch, near Arrochar, Argyll) was a Scottish surgeon, forensic scientist and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
pioneer. He served as Edinburgh's first Medical Officer of Health (1862-1908), introducing model sanitation improvements and the legal requirement to notify cases of infectious diseases. He co-founded the Royal Hospital for Sick Children
Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children is a hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland, specialising in paediatric healthcare. It is commonly referred to simply as the Sick Kids. The hospital provides care for children from birth to around 13 years of age, including a specialist Accident and Emergency facility...
in Edinburgh.
Long a lecturer for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an organisation dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and advancement in surgical practice, through its interest in education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical workforce...
at Surgeons Hall, he was appointed to the chair of Medical Jurisprudence
Medical jurisprudence
Medical jurisprudence, or forensic medicine in the broad sense , now embraces all matters which may bring the physician into contact with the law...
at Edinburgh University in 1897.
Serving as Edinburgh's Police Surgeon and as Medical Advisor to the Crown in Scotland
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides the independent public prosecution service for Scotland, and is a Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government. The department is headed by Her Majesty's Lord Advocate, who under the Scottish legal system is responsible for prosecution,...
in criminal cases, he was often called upon to give evidence as an expert witness
Expert witness
An expert witness, professional witness or judicial expert is a witness, who by virtue of education, training, skill, or experience, is believed to have expertise and specialised knowledge in a particular subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially and legally...
.
A kirk elder at the High Church of Edinburgh, Littlejohn filled several prominent posts in public life, including 9 years serving on the Royal Infirmary Board
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh or RIE, sometimes mistakenly referred to as Edinburgh Royal Infirmary or ERI, was established in 1729 and is the oldest voluntary hospital in Scotland. The new buildings of 1879 were claimed to be the largest voluntary hospital in the United Kingdom, and later on...
, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is an organisation dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and advancement in surgical practice, through its interest in education, training and examinations, its liaison with external medical bodies and representation of the modern surgical workforce...
(1875-6), president of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh (1883-5), and president of the Institute of Public Health
Royal Institute of Public Health
Royal Institute of Public Health is a British awarding body recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.- History :In October 2008 the RIPH merged with the RSH to form the new Royal Society for Public Health...
(1893).
Although Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
primarily credited Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell, JP, DL, FRCS was a famous Scottish lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh in the 19th century. He is perhaps best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes....
as being the source of inspiration for his character Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
, he also cited Henry Littlejohn as being a contributing influence.
Littlejohn was educated at Perth Academy
Perth Academy
Perth Academy is a state comprehensive secondary school in the Scottish town of Perth. It was founded in 1760. The standard week at Perth Academy for students is Monday to Friday from 8.55am to 3.30pm, although this may differ for students taking part in any extra curricula activities. The...
, the High School in Edinburgh, and at Edinburgh University. He was the father of the eminent surgeon Henry Harvey Littlejohn (1862-1927).
He died at Benreoch, Argyll in 1914, and was interred at the Dean Cemetery
Dean Cemetery
The Dean Cemetery is a prominent cemetery in the Dean Village, in Edinburgh, Scotland.-Dean House:It stands on the site of Dean House , part of Dean Estate which had been purchased in 1609 by Sir William Nisbet, who became in 1616 Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The Nisbets of Dean held the office of...
in Edinburgh.