Arthur Farre
Encyclopedia
Arthur Farre was an English obstetric physician.
, London. He was born in London on 6 March 1811. He was educated at Charterhouse School
and at Caius College, Cambridge. After studying medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he graduated M.B. at Cambridge in 1833 and M.D. in 1841, and he became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
in 1843. In 1836–7 he lectured on comparative anatomy at St. Bartholomew's, and from 1838 to 1840 on forensic medicine. In 1841 he succeeded Dr. Robert Fergusson as professor of obstetric medicine at King's College, and physician-accoucheur to King's College Hospital, which offices he held till 1862. At the College of Physicians he was in succession censor, examiner, and councillor, and was Harveian orator in 1872. For twenty-four years (1852–1875) he was examiner in midwifery
to the Royal College of Surgeons, resigning with his colleagues William Overend Priestley
and Robert Barnes in protest at Sophia Jex-Blake
and other women being admitted to the college examination in midwifery, on the grounds that they were otherwise qualified in medicine or surgery. Since no suitable successors were willing to be examiner, his effort was successful in the short term - though it encouraged parliamentary intervention, in the form of the Russell Gurney Act of 1876, which empowered licensing bodies to admit women for medical qualifications.
Farre was a successful fashionable obstetrician: he attended the Princess of Wales and other members of the royal family, and was made physician extraordinary to the queen. On the death of Sir Charles Locock in 1875, Farre was elected honorary president of the Obstetrical Society of London, to which he gave a collection of pelves and gynæcological casts.
Farre died in London on 17 December 1887, and was buried at Kensal Green
on 22 December He left no children, and his wife died before him.
's Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology, issued in 1858. He contributed papers on microscopy to the Royal Microscopical Society
's Journal and Transactions, and was president of the society in 1851–2. An early microscopical paper of his, 'On the Minute Structure of some of the Higher Forms of Polypi' (Philosophical Transactions, 1837), secured his election to the Royal Society
in 1839.
Life
Farre was the younger son of Dr. John Richard Farre of Charterhouse SquareCharterhouse Square
Charterhouse Square is a historic square in Smithfield, between Charterhouse Street and Clerkenwell Road. It lies in the extreme south of the London Borough of Islington, just north of the City of London....
, London. He was born in London on 6 March 1811. He was educated at Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
and at Caius College, Cambridge. After studying medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, he graduated M.B. at Cambridge in 1833 and M.D. in 1841, and he became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
in 1843. In 1836–7 he lectured on comparative anatomy at St. Bartholomew's, and from 1838 to 1840 on forensic medicine. In 1841 he succeeded Dr. Robert Fergusson as professor of obstetric medicine at King's College, and physician-accoucheur to King's College Hospital, which offices he held till 1862. At the College of Physicians he was in succession censor, examiner, and councillor, and was Harveian orator in 1872. For twenty-four years (1852–1875) he was examiner in midwifery
Midwifery
Midwifery is a health care profession in which providers offer care to childbearing women during pregnancy, labour and birth, and during the postpartum period. They also help care for the newborn and assist the mother with breastfeeding....
to the Royal College of Surgeons, resigning with his colleagues William Overend Priestley
William Overend Priestley
Sir William Overend Priestley was a physician and Member of Parliament for Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities from 1896 to 1900....
and Robert Barnes in protest at Sophia Jex-Blake
Sophia Jex-Blake
Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake was an English physician, teacher and feminist. She was one of the first female doctors in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a leading campaigner for medical education for women and was involved in founding two medical schools for women, in London and in...
and other women being admitted to the college examination in midwifery, on the grounds that they were otherwise qualified in medicine or surgery. Since no suitable successors were willing to be examiner, his effort was successful in the short term - though it encouraged parliamentary intervention, in the form of the Russell Gurney Act of 1876, which empowered licensing bodies to admit women for medical qualifications.
Farre was a successful fashionable obstetrician: he attended the Princess of Wales and other members of the royal family, and was made physician extraordinary to the queen. On the death of Sir Charles Locock in 1875, Farre was elected honorary president of the Obstetrical Society of London, to which he gave a collection of pelves and gynæcological casts.
Farre died in London on 17 December 1887, and was buried at Kensal Green
Kensal Green
Kensal Green, also referred to as Kensal Rise is an area of London, England. It is located on the southern edge of the London Borough of Brent and borders the City of Westminster to the East and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to the South....
on 22 December He left no children, and his wife died before him.
Works
His main contribution to medical literature was his article on ‘The Uterus and its Appendages,’ constituting parts 49 and 50 of Robert Bentley ToddRobert Bentley Todd
Robert Bentley Todd was an Irish-born physician who is best known for describing the condition postictal paralysis in his Lumleian Lectures in 1849 now known as Todd's palsy. He was the younger brother of noted writer and minister James Henthorn Todd.- Early life :He was the son of physician...
's Cyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology, issued in 1858. He contributed papers on microscopy to the Royal Microscopical Society
Royal Microscopical Society
The Royal Microscopical Society is an international scientific society for the promotion of microscopy. RMS draws members from all over the world and is dedicated to advancing science, developing careers and supporting wider understanding of science and microscopy through its Science and Society...
's Journal and Transactions, and was president of the society in 1851–2. An early microscopical paper of his, 'On the Minute Structure of some of the Higher Forms of Polypi' (Philosophical Transactions, 1837), secured his election to the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1839.