Pioneer anatomist and surgeon. Born in East Kilbride, Scotland. He left school at the age of 13 and after an unremarkable childhood, journeyed south to London to work as a dissector for his brother William, a teacher of anatomy. He studied surgery at Chelsea and St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
He was a pupil and house surgeon at St George’s Hospital at Hyde Park Corner from 1754 and in 1768 was appointed to the staff as a surgeon. He was a distinguished teacher and amongst his students was Edward Jenner.
His interest in surgery grew to such an extent that he formed a collection of 10,500 anatomical specimens, initially accommodated in his house in Leicester Square, now at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1767 and has been called the founder of scientific surgery.
He collapsed and died at a meeting of St George’s Board of Governors at which he was involved in a heated discussion over the admission of students.
Londonist has mapped , showing not just the memorials but all the important locations in his life. And the has pictures and information about his house in Earl's Court.
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