John Simon (doctor)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Simon KCB, FRS, FRCS
(10 October 1816 – 23 July 1904) was and English pathologist, surgeon
and public health
officer. He was the second Chief Medical Officer for Her Majesty's Government from 1855–1876.
and he was educated at King's College
and St Thomas' Hospital
in London. In 1838 he became a member
of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1845 he won the Astley Cooper Prize for an essay entitled "Physiological Essay on the Thymus Gland"; he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society
(FRS) the same year.
In the mid-19th century, the government took measures to promote public health
; the Public Health Act 1848 was passed and a General Board of Health was created. The same year, Simon was appointed the Medical Officer of Health for London
for the City of London
's commission of sewers; this was only the second health officer appointment in the country (William Henry Duncan
had become Medical Officer for Health in Liverpool the previous year). He served in this position until 1855. The General Board of Health was reorganised in 1853, and Simon became the board's Chief Medical Officer in 1855. The General Board only lasted until 1858; on its dissolution, Simon's role as Chief Medical Officer transferred to the Privy Council
.
Simon died on 23 July 1904 in London and was buried at Ladywell Cemetery in Lewisham
.
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is a professional qualification to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland...
(10 October 1816 – 23 July 1904) was and English pathologist, surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
and public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
officer. He was the second Chief Medical Officer for Her Majesty's Government from 1855–1876.
Biography
John Simon was born 10 October 1816 in London to Louis Michael Simon, a stockbroker, and Mathilde (née Nonnet). He was the sixth of Louis' fourteen children by two marriages. His medical career began in 1833 when he became an apprentice to surgeon Joseph Henry GreenJoseph Henry Green
Joseph Henry Green was an English surgeon who became the literary executor of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.-Life:Green was the only son of Joseph Green, a prosperous merchant, and was born on 1 November 1791, at the house over his father's office in London Wall. His mother was Frances Cline, sister of...
and he was educated at King's College
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
and St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS hospital in London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It has provided health care freely or under charitable auspices since the 12th century and was originally located in Southwark.St Thomas' Hospital is accessible...
in London. In 1838 he became a member
Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons
MRCS is a professional qualification for surgeons in the UK and IrelandIt means Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In the United Kingdom, doctors who gain this qualification traditionally no longer use the title 'Dr' but start to use the title 'Mr', 'Mrs', 'Miss' or 'Ms'.There are 4 surgical...
of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1845 he won the Astley Cooper Prize for an essay entitled "Physiological Essay on the Thymus Gland"; he was elected as a Fellow of 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"...
(FRS) the same year.
In the mid-19th century, the government took measures to promote public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
; the Public Health Act 1848 was passed and a General Board of Health was created. The same year, Simon was appointed the Medical Officer of Health for London
Medical Officer of Health for London
Medical Officer of Health for London was a public elected position for the city of London established in 1848. It was the second municipal position of its kind in England, the first being William Henry Duncan for Liverpool...
for the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
's commission of sewers; this was only the second health officer appointment in the country (William Henry Duncan
William Henry Duncan
William Henry Duncan , also known as Doctor Duncan, was an English Doctor who worked in Liverpool as its first Medical Officer of Health and also Britain's first Chief Medical Officer.....
had become Medical Officer for Health in Liverpool the previous year). He served in this position until 1855. The General Board of Health was reorganised in 1853, and Simon became the board's Chief Medical Officer in 1855. The General Board only lasted until 1858; on its dissolution, Simon's role as Chief Medical Officer transferred to the Privy Council
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
.
Simon died on 23 July 1904 in London and was buried at Ladywell Cemetery in Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
.