John Rutherford (professor)
Encyclopedia
John Rutherford was a Scottish physician and professor at the University of Edinburgh Medical School
. He is the father of the scientist Daniel Rutherford
and the grandfather of the writer Walter Scott
.
John Rutherford was one of the eminent physicians of his time. He taught at the University of Edinburgh
, which had become of one of world's leading medical schools in 18th century. He is probably best known for pioneering clinical teaching, which meant that students where learning in the hospital with live patients rather than receiving class room teaching. This method was first introduced by Herman Boerhaave
at University of Leiden and soon after used
at the University of Edinburgh as well. However its early deployment was somewhat limited since the university only had a small ward and hence only a few patients available for clinical teaching. In 1741 the new royal infirmary with 228 beds was opened and in 1748 John Rutherford started to provide clinical teaching to all his students. These lessons proved to be extremely popular and soon became a compulsory part of the medical education.
University of Edinburgh Medical School
The University of Edinburgh Medical School is part of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Edinburgh. Established nearly 283 years ago, Edinburgh Medical School is one of the oldest medical schools in Scotland and the UK...
. He is the father of the scientist Daniel Rutherford
Daniel Rutherford
Daniel Rutherford was a Scottish physician, chemist and botanist who is most famous for the isolation of nitrogen in 1772.Rutherford was the uncle of the novelist Sir Walter Scott.-Early life:...
and the grandfather of the writer Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
.
John Rutherford was one of the eminent physicians of his time. He taught at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, which had become of one of world's leading medical schools in 18th century. He is probably best known for pioneering clinical teaching, which meant that students where learning in the hospital with live patients rather than receiving class room teaching. This method was first introduced by Herman Boerhaave
Herman Boerhaave
Herman Boerhaave was a Dutch botanist, humanist and physician of European fame. He is regarded as the founder of clinical teaching and of the modern academic hospital. His main achievement was to demonstrate the relation of symptoms to lesions...
at University of Leiden and soon after used
at the University of Edinburgh as well. However its early deployment was somewhat limited since the university only had a small ward and hence only a few patients available for clinical teaching. In 1741 the new royal infirmary with 228 beds was opened and in 1748 John Rutherford started to provide clinical teaching to all his students. These lessons proved to be extremely popular and soon became a compulsory part of the medical education.