John Goodsir
Encyclopedia
John Goodsir was a Scottish anatomist, born at Anstruther
, Fife. He was a pioneer in the study of the cell.
and Edinburgh
. In Edinburgh, he served an apprenticeship in dentistry
; he then moved back to Anstruther where he wrote his noted essay on "Teeth"; in 1840 he was appointed Conservator of the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
in succession to the great William McGillivray, and lecturer on Diseases of Bone in 1842. It was about this time (1841–1842) that Goodsir developed his revolutionary lectures on the importance of cellular life and organization; this innovative approach later won the extravagant praise of Rudolf Virchow
(1821–1902), who dedicated his masterpiece Cellular Pathology to Goodsir. Four years later, Goodsir succeeded Dr. Alexander Monro (tertius) (1773–1859) in the chair of Anatomy
in Edinburgh University. In subsequent years, Goodsir supervised many brilliant medical men, including Thomas Clouston
, James Bell Pettigrew
and William Turner
. At this time, anatomy had fallen into low regard, thanks to the "Burke and Hare" scandal (1828) in which the great scientific anatomist Robert Knox
(1791–1862) had been pilloried by the Edinburgh medical establishment; and to the scientific incompetence of the lamentable Alexander Monro (tertius). Goodsir's outstanding anatomical teaching and his extensive research activities (published together as his Anatomical Memoirs, edited by Sir William Turner
in 1868) did much to restore prestige to Edinburgh's anatomical traditions.
Anstruther
Anstruther is a small town in Fife, Scotland. The two halves of Anstruther are divided by a small stream called Dreel Burn. Anstruther lies 9 miles south-southeast of St Andrews. It is the largest community on the stretch of north-shore coastline of the Firth of Forth known as the East Neuk,...
, Fife. He was a pioneer in the study of the cell.
Life
Goodsir was trained in St AndrewsSt Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
and 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...
. In Edinburgh, he served an apprenticeship in dentistry
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
; he then moved back to Anstruther where he wrote his noted essay on "Teeth"; in 1840 he was appointed Conservator of the Museum 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...
in succession to the great William McGillivray, and lecturer on Diseases of Bone in 1842. It was about this time (1841–1842) that Goodsir developed his revolutionary lectures on the importance of cellular life and organization; this innovative approach later won the extravagant praise of Rudolf Virchow
Rudolf Virchow
Rudolph Carl Virchow was a German doctor, anthropologist, pathologist, prehistorian, biologist and politician, known for his advancement of public health...
(1821–1902), who dedicated his masterpiece Cellular Pathology to Goodsir. Four years later, Goodsir succeeded Dr. Alexander Monro (tertius) (1773–1859) in the chair of Anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
in Edinburgh University. In subsequent years, Goodsir supervised many brilliant medical men, including Thomas Clouston
Thomas Clouston
Sir Thomas Smith Clouston was a Scottish psychiatrist.Clouston was born in the Birsay parish of Orkney, and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and the University of Edinburgh. Clouston qualified M.D. with a thesis on the nervous system of the lobster, supervised by John Goodsir...
, James Bell Pettigrew
James Bell Pettigrew
James Bell Pettigrew, FRS FRSE FRCPE was a Scottish naturalist and museum curator. He was a distinguished naturalist in Edinburgh and London, and at St Andrews University from 1875 until his death...
and William Turner
William Turner
William Turner MA was an English divine and reformer, a physician and a natural historian. He studied medicine in Italy, and was a friend of the great Swiss naturalist, Conrad Gessner...
. At this time, anatomy had fallen into low regard, thanks to the "Burke and Hare" scandal (1828) in which the great scientific anatomist Robert Knox
Robert Knox
Robert Knox was a Scottish surgeon, anatomist and zoologist. He was the most popular lecturer in anatomy in Edinburgh before his involvement in the Burke and Hare body-snatching case. This ruined his career, and a later move to London did not improve matters...
(1791–1862) had been pilloried by the Edinburgh medical establishment; and to the scientific incompetence of the lamentable Alexander Monro (tertius). Goodsir's outstanding anatomical teaching and his extensive research activities (published together as his Anatomical Memoirs, edited by Sir William Turner
William Turner
William Turner MA was an English divine and reformer, a physician and a natural historian. He studied medicine in Italy, and was a friend of the great Swiss naturalist, Conrad Gessner...
in 1868) did much to restore prestige to Edinburgh's anatomical traditions.