John Hunter
- Born
- 13 February 1728
- Died
- 16 October 1793 (age 65)
With little formal education John Hunter rose to become one of the most eminent and influential surgeons of his time and an advocate of careful observation and the use of scientific methods in medicine.
Don't think, try the experiment
John Hunter
In his youth John showed little talent and in 1748 he joined his brother William Hunter an anatomist in London to prepare specimens for his anatomy lectures. William was so impressed that John became his assistant and later that year John Hunter commenced studing surgery at Chelsea and St Bartholomew's Hospitals and became a master of anatomy.
Hunter's practice and reputation grew rapidly and he was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Society and was appointed surgeon to St George's Hospital. In 1799 the Government purchased his work collection as it was a useful tool in understanding anatomy. It was later moved into a teaching museum in The Royal College of Surgeons, and is known as The Hunterian Museum.
Hunter proposed the first study to suggest that the maternal and foetal blood supplies are separate and believed that surgeons should understand how the body adapts and compensates for damage due to injury or environmental changes. His influential work helped Edward Jenner develop the smallpox vaccine.
Through his record of pioneering work, Hunter ensured the history of surgical medicine was preserved for future generations and he will be remembered as a founder of `scientific surgery'.