John Brown (physician)
Encyclopedia
John Brown FRSE FRCPE (September 22, 1810 – May 11, 1882) was a Scottish
physician and essayist. He was the son of the clergyman John Brown
(1784–1858), and was born in Biggar, Scotland. He is best known for his 3 volume collection Horae Subsecivae—"Leisure Hours" (1858), including essays and papers on art, medical history and biography. Among the former, his dog story, Rab and his Friends
(1859), and his essays Pet Marjorie (1863)—on Marjorie Fleming
, the ten year old prodigy and "pet" of Walter Scott
—, Our Dogs, Minchmoor, and The Enterkine are especially notable,
He was the half-brother of the organic chemist Alexander Crum Brown
.
in 1833, and practised as a physician in that city.
John Brown was descended from eminent Presbyterian clergymen. After graduating MD in 1833 he was apprenticed, to James Syme. Brown subsequently acquired a very large medical practice in Edinburgh at a time when infectious diseases took a heavy toll of life. He was a very sociable man, and his house in 27 Rutland Street was the scene of many social gatherings. In 1840 he married Catherine Scott McKay. They had three children, of whom only a son survived. In 1847 Dr Brown became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
, and for a while was Honorary Librarian. He held strong views on the inappropriateness of examinations to evaluate student progress and was unimpressed by the view that scientific advances were in patients' best interests.
He was the friend of many contemporaries, including Thackeray
; his reputation is based on the two volumes of essays, Horae Subsecivae (Leisure Hours) (1858, 1861), John Leech and Other Papers (1882), Rab and His Friends
(1859), and Marjorie Fleming: a Sketch (1863). His first writing was in response to a request for contributions to the notices of paintings exhibited by the Royal Scottish Academy
. The editor of the Scotsman newspaper then asked him to write regularly for the paper. He was 48 years old when he published Rab and His Friends. His writings were philosophical, classical
, artistic, medical, of rural life, the Jacobite Rebellion, notable characters, humble folk and canine friends. These were published as a collection in 1858 as Horæ Subsecivæ, which ran to many editions. The first volume deals mainly with the equipment and duties of a physician, the second with subjects outside his profession.
Brown was revered and beloved to uncommon degree, and he was the cherished friend of many of his most distinguished contemporaries, including Thackeray
. In the mingling of tenderness and delicate humour Brown has much in common with Lamb; in his insight into dog-nature he is unique. He wrote comparatively little; but all he did write is good, some of it perfect, of its kind.
He suffered during the latter years of his life from attacks of melancholy.
He died on May 11, I882, and was buried in his father’s plot in New Calton Cemetery.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
physician and essayist. He was the son of the clergyman John Brown
John Brown (clergyman)
John Brown , Scottish divine, grandson of John Brown of Haddington, was born at Whitburn, Linlithgowshire.He studied at Glasgow university, and afterwards at the divinity hall of the Burgher branch of the Secession church at Selkirk, under the celebrated George Lawson...
(1784–1858), and was born in Biggar, Scotland. He is best known for his 3 volume collection Horae Subsecivae—"Leisure Hours" (1858), including essays and papers on art, medical history and biography. Among the former, his dog story, Rab and his Friends
Rab and his Friends
"Rab and his Friends" is a short story by Scottish writer Dr John Brown. It was very popular in the 19th century and often considered John Brown's best, or at least most well known work. Even though short in length it was often published as a single volume with illustrations.The title character...
(1859), and his essays Pet Marjorie (1863)—on Marjorie Fleming
Marjorie Fleming
Marjorie Fleming was a child writer and poet, born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. She died of meningitis at the age of 8. Her complete written work is held by the National Library of Scotland...
, the ten year old prodigy and "pet" of Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
—, Our Dogs, Minchmoor, and The Enterkine are especially notable,
He was the half-brother of the organic chemist Alexander Crum Brown
Alexander Crum Brown
Alexander Crum Brown FRSE FRS was a Scottish organic chemist.-Biography:Born in Edinburgh, the half-brother of the physician and essayist John Brown, he studied for five years at the Royal High School, succeeded by one year at Mill Hill School in London...
.
Biography
Brown was educated at the Edinburgh High School and graduated as M.D. at the University of EdinburghUniversity of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1833, and practised as a physician in that city.
John Brown was descended from eminent Presbyterian clergymen. After graduating MD in 1833 he was apprenticed, to James Syme. Brown subsequently acquired a very large medical practice in Edinburgh at a time when infectious diseases took a heavy toll of life. He was a very sociable man, and his house in 27 Rutland Street was the scene of many social gatherings. In 1840 he married Catherine Scott McKay. They had three children, of whom only a son survived. In 1847 Dr Brown became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
, and for a while was Honorary Librarian. He held strong views on the inappropriateness of examinations to evaluate student progress and was unimpressed by the view that scientific advances were in patients' best interests.
He was the friend of many contemporaries, including Thackeray
Thackeray
Thackeray is the name of:*William Makepeace Thackeray, a novelist*Bal Thackeray, an Indian politician*Edward Talbot Thackeray, a recipient of the Victoria Cross*A David Thackeray, a South African astronomer...
; his reputation is based on the two volumes of essays, Horae Subsecivae (Leisure Hours) (1858, 1861), John Leech and Other Papers (1882), Rab and His Friends
Rab and his Friends
"Rab and his Friends" is a short story by Scottish writer Dr John Brown. It was very popular in the 19th century and often considered John Brown's best, or at least most well known work. Even though short in length it was often published as a single volume with illustrations.The title character...
(1859), and Marjorie Fleming: a Sketch (1863). His first writing was in response to a request for contributions to the notices of paintings exhibited by the Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy is a Scottish organisation that promotes contemporary Scottish art. Founded in 1826, as the Royal Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, the RSA maintains a unique position in Scotland as an independently funded institution led by eminent artists and...
. The editor of the Scotsman newspaper then asked him to write regularly for the paper. He was 48 years old when he published Rab and His Friends. His writings were philosophical, classical
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
, artistic, medical, of rural life, the Jacobite Rebellion, notable characters, humble folk and canine friends. These were published as a collection in 1858 as Horæ Subsecivæ, which ran to many editions. The first volume deals mainly with the equipment and duties of a physician, the second with subjects outside his profession.
Brown was revered and beloved to uncommon degree, and he was the cherished friend of many of his most distinguished contemporaries, including Thackeray
Thackeray
Thackeray is the name of:*William Makepeace Thackeray, a novelist*Bal Thackeray, an Indian politician*Edward Talbot Thackeray, a recipient of the Victoria Cross*A David Thackeray, a South African astronomer...
. In the mingling of tenderness and delicate humour Brown has much in common with Lamb; in his insight into dog-nature he is unique. He wrote comparatively little; but all he did write is good, some of it perfect, of its kind.
He suffered during the latter years of his life from attacks of melancholy.
He died on May 11, I882, and was buried in his father’s plot in New Calton Cemetery.
External links
- Works by or about John Brown at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
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