Portal:Scotland/Selected article/Week 38, 2008



Sir James Young Simpson, (June 7, 1811 born in Bathgate, West Lothian, died at his home in Edinburgh, May 6, 1870), was a Scottish doctor and important figure in the history of medicine.

James was the youngest of seven children, 5 brothers; Thomas, John, Alexander, David, George and a sister Mary born to Mary Jarvey (also known as Jarvie) and David Simpson a baker in Bathgate. He received his initial education at the local school however because of his obvious abilities, his father and brothers (his mother died when he was 9) together paid for a College education and he entered the University of Edinburgh when he was 14 years old. He became a Licentiate in 1830 before graduating in 1832. He was appointed Professor of Midwifery (which we would now call Obstetrics) at the University of Edinburgh and physician to Queen Victoria.

Simpson's name at birth was "James Simpson", as recorded at his baptism on 30th June. It is unknown why he formally adopted the middle name "Young". One theory is that, as a very young professor, he was flaunting his youth in front of his older peers or alternatively that he was known by the affectionate nickname of "Young Simpson" and decided to incorporate it into his name.

Simpson discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform and, against medical and religious opposition, successfully introduced it for general medical use.