Sir James Young Simpson

Abstract

Among the many eminent men who have been Members or Honorary Fellows of the Royal Medical Society a number have attained a place in world history; one such is Sir James Y. Simpson—physician, teacher, discoverer and philanthropist. Most of us associate his name with the introduction of chloroform anaesthesia, and indeed seldom can a major advance in applied science have owed so much to one man; yet the story of Simpson’s life and deeds is so remarkable that, had he never discovered anything, he would still be remembered as a great man.