James Wardrop
Encyclopedia
James Wardrop FRCSEd
FRCS (1782 – 1869) was a Scottish
surgeon.
Wardrop was born the youngest son of James and Marjorie (née Marjoribanks) Wardrop in Torbane Hill, Linlithgowshire (now in West Lothian) but at four years of age moved with the family to live in Edinburgh where he attended Edinburgh High School. In 1800 he was apprenticed to a firm of surgeon apothecaries which included his uncle Andrew Wardrop, first president of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
.
He later moved on to train in London in 1801, then Paris and Vienna in 1803. He became an Ophthalmic surgeon
in Edinburgh 1804–08; London 1809–69; and gained his MD
degree at St Andrews University in 1834.
Wardrop taught surgery from 1826 at the Aldersgate Street medical academy with Lawrence
and Tyrrell
, and published surgical treatises. Wardrop, an excellent surgeon, was early appointed surgeon-extraordinary by the Prince Regent
, the future George IV
. This infuriated his rivals in London, and he found the doors of the large hospitals closed to him. In retaliation he founded the West London Hospital for Surgery near the Edgware Road, and invited general practitioners to watch him operate. Further royal honours came, but he declined a baronetcy (in lieu of royal fees) and moved out of royal circles. His social gifts, a knowledge of horseflesh and marriage to a wife with aristocratic connections brought him popularity.
Wardrop was associated with Thomas Wakley
in the founding of The Lancet
in 1823, for which he first wrote savage articles and, later, witty and scurrilous lampoons in his column 'Intercepted Letters'. The letters, under the pseudonym 'Brutus', were thinly disguised as by leading London surgeons, 'accidentally' revealing their nepotism, venality and incompetence. There was enough truth in them to make the parodies sting.
He was later rehabilitated with the College of Surgeons
, becoming a Fellow in 1843.
In 1813 he had married Margaret, daughter of Col. George L Dalrymple of East Lothian and the widow of Captain Burn. They had four sons and a daughter. On his death he was buried in Bathgate Old Kirk.
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...
FRCS (1782 – 1869) was a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
surgeon.
Wardrop was born the youngest son of James and Marjorie (née Marjoribanks) Wardrop in Torbane Hill, Linlithgowshire (now in West Lothian) but at four years of age moved with the family to live in Edinburgh where he attended Edinburgh High School. In 1800 he was apprenticed to a firm of surgeon apothecaries which included his uncle Andrew Wardrop, first 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...
.
He later moved on to train in London in 1801, then Paris and Vienna in 1803. He became an Ophthalmic surgeon
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
in Edinburgh 1804–08; London 1809–69; and gained his MD
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
degree at St Andrews University in 1834.
Wardrop taught surgery from 1826 at the Aldersgate Street medical academy with Lawrence
Sir William Lawrence, 1st Baronet
Sir William Lawrence, 1st Baronet FRCS FRS was an English surgeon who became President of the Royal College of Surgeons of London and Serjeant Surgeon to the Queen....
and Tyrrell
Frederick Tyrrell
Frederick Tyrrell or Tyrell , English surgeon. Assistant surgeon London Eye Infirmary 1820. Lecturer in anatomy and surgeon to St Thomas's Hospital 1822. Arris & Gale lecturer; published Diseases of the eye...
, and published surgical treatises. Wardrop, an excellent surgeon, was early appointed surgeon-extraordinary by the Prince Regent
Prince Regent
A prince regent is a prince who rules a monarchy as regent instead of a monarch, e.g., due to the Sovereign's incapacity or absence ....
, the future George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
. This infuriated his rivals in London, and he found the doors of the large hospitals closed to him. In retaliation he founded the West London Hospital for Surgery near the Edgware Road, and invited general practitioners to watch him operate. Further royal honours came, but he declined a baronetcy (in lieu of royal fees) and moved out of royal circles. His social gifts, a knowledge of horseflesh and marriage to a wife with aristocratic connections brought him popularity.
Wardrop was associated with Thomas Wakley
Thomas Wakley
Thomas Wakley , was an English surgeon. He became a demagogue and social reformer who campaigned against incompetence, privilege and nepotism. He was the founding editor of The Lancet, and a radical Member of Parliament .- Life :Thomas Wakley was born in Membury, Devon to a prosperous farmer and...
in the founding of The Lancet
The Lancet
The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is one of the world's best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals...
in 1823, for which he first wrote savage articles and, later, witty and scurrilous lampoons in his column 'Intercepted Letters'. The letters, under the pseudonym 'Brutus', were thinly disguised as by leading London surgeons, 'accidentally' revealing their nepotism, venality and incompetence. There was enough truth in them to make the parodies sting.
He was later rehabilitated with the College of Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons of England
The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an independent professional body and registered charity committed to promoting and advancing the highest standards of surgical care for patients, regulating surgery, including dentistry, in England and Wales...
, becoming a Fellow in 1843.
In 1813 he had married Margaret, daughter of Col. George L Dalrymple of East Lothian and the widow of Captain Burn. They had four sons and a daughter. On his death he was buried in Bathgate Old Kirk.