Sir Andrew Clark, 1st Baronet (28 October 18266 November 1893), was a Scottish physician and pathologist.

Early life and education

He was born in Aberdeen, the illegitimate son of Amelia Anderson and Andrew Clark. His mother died at his birth, and his father, who also was a physician, died when he was seven years old. After attending school in Aberdeen, he was sent by his guardians, two wealthy uncles,

Career

In 1849 he became pathologist to the Haslar Hospital where T.H. Huxley was one of his colleagues and in 1853 he was the successful candidate for the newly instituted post of curator to the museum of the London Hospital. There he intended to devote all his energies to pathology, but circumstances brought him into active medical practice. In 1854, the year in which he took his doctor's degree at Aberdeen, the post of assistant physician to the hospital became vacant and he was prevailed upon to apply for it. He was fond of telling how his tuberculosis tendencies gained him the appointment. "He is only a poor Scotch doctor," it was said, "with but a few months to live; let him have it." He had it, and two years before his death publicly declared that of those who were on the staff of the hospital at the time of his selection he was the only one remaining alive.

He was created a baronet in 1883 in recognition of his services to medical science. He was elected the same year President of the Clinical Society of London.

In June 1885 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

He was elected President of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society in 1892.

Writing

In spite of the claims of his practice he found time to produce a good many books, all written in the precise and polished style on which he used to pride himself. Doubtless owing largely to personal reasons, lung diseases and especially lung fibrosis formed his favourite theme, but he also discussed other subjects, such as kidney failure, anemia, constipation, etc.

Death

He died in London, after a paralytic stroke, and was buried at Essenden, near his country house at Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

References

  • AIM25 Archives in London