William Scovell Savory
Encyclopedia
Sir William Scovell Savory, 1st Baronet (30 November 1826 - 4 March 1895) was a British
surgeon
.
He was born in London
, the son of William Henry Savory, and his second wife, Mary Webb. He entered St Bartholomew's Hospital
as a student in 1844, becoming M.R.C.S. in 1847, and F.R.C.S. in 1852. From 1849 to 1859 he was demonstrator of anatomy
and operative surgery at St Bartholomew's, and for many years curator of the museum, where he devoted himself to pathological and physiological work. In June 1858 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his papers on "the structure and connections of the valves of the human heart - On the development of striated muscular fibre in Mammalia - Phil Trans 1855 [and] on the relative temperature of arterial and venous Blood".
In 1859 he succeeded Sir James Paget
as lecturer on general anatomy and physiology. In 1861 he became assistant surgeon, and in 1867 surgeon, holding the latter post till 1891; and from 1869 to 1889 he was lecturer on surgery. In the College of Surgeons
he was a man of the greatest influence, and was president for four successive years, 1885-1888. As Hunterian professor of comparative anatomy and physiology (1859-1861), he lectured on General Physiology and the Physiology of Food. In 1884 he delivered the Bradshaw Lecture
(on the Pathology of Cancer
) and in 1887 the Hunterian oration to the Royal College of Physicians.
In 1879, at Cork, he had declared against Listerism at the meeting of the British Medical Association
, the last public expression, it has been said, by a prominent surgeon against the now accepted method of modern surgery. In 1887 he became surgeon-extraordinary to Queen Victoria
, and, in 1890 he was made a baronet
. Savory, who was an able operator, but averse from exhibitions of brilliancy, was a powerful and authoritative man in his profession, his lucidity of expression teing almost as valuable as his great knowledge of physiology and anatomy.
He died in London in 1895 and was buried in Highgate Cemetery
. He had married, on 30 Nov 1854, Louisa Frances Borradaile; they had an only son, Sir Borradaile Savory, rector of St. Bartholomew's the Great, who succeeded him as second baronet.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
surgeon
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
.
He was born in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the son of William Henry Savory, and his second wife, Mary Webb. He entered St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital
St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I...
as a student in 1844, becoming M.R.C.S. in 1847, and F.R.C.S. in 1852. From 1849 to 1859 he was demonstrator 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...
and operative surgery at St Bartholomew's, and for many years curator of the museum, where he devoted himself to pathological and physiological work. In June 1858 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for his papers on "the structure and connections of the valves of the human heart - On the development of striated muscular fibre in Mammalia - Phil Trans 1855 [and] on the relative temperature of arterial and venous Blood".
In 1859 he succeeded Sir James Paget
James Paget
Sir James Paget, 1st Baronet was a British surgeon and pathologist who is best remembered for Paget's disease and who is considered, together with Rudolf Virchow, as one of the founders of scientific medical pathology. His famous works included Lectures on Tumours and Lectures on Surgical Pathology...
as lecturer on general anatomy and physiology. In 1861 he became assistant surgeon, and in 1867 surgeon, holding the latter post till 1891; and from 1869 to 1889 he was lecturer on surgery. In 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...
he was a man of the greatest influence, and was president for four successive years, 1885-1888. As Hunterian professor of comparative anatomy and physiology (1859-1861), he lectured on General Physiology and the Physiology of Food. In 1884 he delivered the Bradshaw Lecture
Bradshaw Lecture
The Bradshaw Lectures are prestigious lectureships given at the invitation of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons of England....
(on the Pathology of Cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
) and in 1887 the Hunterian oration to the Royal College of Physicians.
In 1879, at Cork, he had declared against Listerism at the meeting of the British Medical Association
British Medical Association
The British Medical Association is the professional association and registered trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The association does not regulate or certify doctors, a responsibility which lies with the General Medical Council. The association’s headquarters are located in BMA House,...
, the last public expression, it has been said, by a prominent surgeon against the now accepted method of modern surgery. In 1887 he became surgeon-extraordinary to Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, and, in 1890 he was made a baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
. Savory, who was an able operator, but averse from exhibitions of brilliancy, was a powerful and authoritative man in his profession, his lucidity of expression teing almost as valuable as his great knowledge of physiology and anatomy.
He died in London in 1895 and was buried in Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is a cemetery located in north London, England. It is designated Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It is divided into two parts, named the East and West cemetery....
. He had married, on 30 Nov 1854, Louisa Frances Borradaile; they had an only son, Sir Borradaile Savory, rector of St. Bartholomew's the Great, who succeeded him as second baronet.