William Tilbury Fox
Encyclopedia
William Tilbury Fox, MD
, FRCP
(1836 – 7 June 1879) was an English dermatologist
.
He was born in Broughton, Hampshire
the son of physician Luther Owen Fox and Mary (née Tilbury) Fox, and the brother of Thomas Colcott Fox, also a dermatologist. From 1853 Tilbury Fox attended the University College Hospital
medical school. He graduated in 1857 and received his MD in 1858. His first job was at University College Hospital as house physician to Sir William Jenner
who was in charge of the dermatology department. He later took jobs at the General Lying-in Hospital
in Lambeth
and at a general practice
. He decided to specialise in obstetrics
and took the position of physician-accoucheur at the Farringdon General Dispensary. He was also a senior physician at St John's Hospital for Skin Diseases. In 1863 he published Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin, in which he was the first physician in the UK to create a thorough study of the pathology and causes of dermatophytosis
(ringworm). At this time, he decided to specialise in dermatology rather than obstetrics.
In 1864, Fox developed an interest in tropical
dermatology with a trip to India with the Earl of Hopetoun. As a result of this trip he published Scheme for obtaining a better knowledge of endemic skin diseases in India, prepared with T. Farquhar, for the India Office in 1872. In 1866, he took the position of physician to the skin department at Charing Cross Hospital
and in 1868 he became the physician in charge of the dermatology department back at University College Hospital.
In the 1870s, Henry Radcliffe Crocker
came to the University College Hospital and worked under Fox in the dermatology department. At this time, the practice of specialising in medicine was frowned upon in the United Kingdom (although more popular in continental Europe), but Fox and Crocker were credited with bringing some structure to the field of dermatology. Fox wrote extensively on the subject and in 1875, he published a revised version of Atlas of Skin Diseases by Robert Willan
. He also had an editorial position at The Lancet
.
William Tilbury Fox died of an aortic condition on 7 June 1879 in Paris
, France, at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife Sophia Campbell Fox and was buried at Willesden cemetery in London.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
, FRCP
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...
(1836 – 7 June 1879) was an English dermatologist
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
.
He was born in Broughton, Hampshire
Broughton, Hampshire
Broughton is a village and civil parish in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, England, about ten miles north of Romsey. According to the 2001 census it has a population of 1,029. There is also a herd of water buffalo....
the son of physician Luther Owen Fox and Mary (née Tilbury) Fox, and the brother of Thomas Colcott Fox, also a dermatologist. From 1853 Tilbury Fox attended the University College Hospital
University College Hospital
University College Hospital is a teaching hospital located in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and is closely associated with University College London ....
medical school. He graduated in 1857 and received his MD in 1858. His first job was at University College Hospital as house physician to Sir William Jenner
Sir William Jenner, 1st Baronet
thumb|right|"Physic"Jenner as caricatured by Spy in [[Vanity Fair |Vanity Fair]], April 1873Sir William Jenner, 1st Baronet was a significant English physician primarily known for having discovered the distinction between typhus and typhoid.-Biography:Jenner was born at Chatham on 30 January...
who was in charge of the dermatology department. He later took jobs at the General Lying-in Hospital
General Lying-In Hospital
The General Lying-In Hospital was opened in April, 1767, as the Westminster New Lying-in Hospital, on the north side of Westminster Bridge Road Lambeth with Dr. John Leake as its first physician....
in Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
and at a general practice
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
. He decided to specialise in obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and took the position of physician-accoucheur at the Farringdon General Dispensary. He was also a senior physician at St John's Hospital for Skin Diseases. In 1863 he published Skin Diseases of Parasitic Origin, in which he was the first physician in the UK to create a thorough study of the pathology and causes of dermatophytosis
Dermatophytosis
Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans, pets such as cats, and domesticated animals such as sheep and cattle. The term "ringworm" is a misnomer, since the condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms...
(ringworm). At this time, he decided to specialise in dermatology rather than obstetrics.
In 1864, Fox developed an interest in tropical
Tropical medicine
Tropical medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with health problems that occur uniquely, are more widespread, or prove more difficult to control in tropical and subtropical regions....
dermatology with a trip to India with the Earl of Hopetoun. As a result of this trip he published Scheme for obtaining a better knowledge of endemic skin diseases in India, prepared with T. Farquhar, for the India Office in 1872. In 1866, he took the position of physician to the skin department at Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital is a general, acute hospital located in London, United Kingdom and established in 1818. It is located several miles to the west of the city centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham....
and in 1868 he became the physician in charge of the dermatology department back at University College Hospital.
In the 1870s, Henry Radcliffe Crocker
Henry Radcliffe Crocker
Henry Radcliffe Crocker, MD, FRCP was an English dermatologist. Originally from Hove in Sussex, Crocker started his working life as an apprentice to a general practitioner, before going to London to attend the University College Hospital medical school...
came to the University College Hospital and worked under Fox in the dermatology department. At this time, the practice of specialising in medicine was frowned upon in the United Kingdom (although more popular in continental Europe), but Fox and Crocker were credited with bringing some structure to the field of dermatology. Fox wrote extensively on the subject and in 1875, he published a revised version of Atlas of Skin Diseases by Robert Willan
Robert Willan
Robert Willan was an English physician and the founder of dermatology as a medical specialty. He received his MD at Edinburgh in 1780 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1809...
. He also had an editorial position at The Lancet
The Lancet
The Lancet is a weekly peer-reviewed general medical journal. It is one of the world's best known, oldest, and most respected general medical journals...
.
William Tilbury Fox died of an aortic condition on 7 June 1879 in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France, at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife Sophia Campbell Fox and was buried at Willesden cemetery in London.