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Notable Members
The Royal Medical Society’s roll of members encompasses both figures known worldwide and lesser-known names to whom we attribute remarkable contributions that are now commonplace in medical practice.
Can you recognise them from their portraits?
Hover or click on their portraits to reveal their name and achievements!
One of the founders of the RMS and key figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. Cullen was a beloved professor of medicine in Edinburgh, known for his patient-centred approach, and went on to found the Glasgow Medical School. He taught and inspired a generation of renowned scientists including the chemist Joseph Black and physician William Withering, and published a range of medical textbooks which became essential texts all over Europe. The most prominent physician of his era.
Celebrated naturalist and proponent of natural selection. Darwin was a member of the Society during his initial study of medicine in Edinburgh before devoting himself to natural history. His work on evolution revolutionised scientific thought and his geological discoveries rendered him a legend in his own time.
Senior President and obstetrician who introduced chloroform as anaesthesia. An early critic of the pain of surgery, Simpson read his dissertation On the Diseases of the Placenta to the Society in 1835 and was subsequently elected Senior President, thus beginning a lifelong devotion to the Society’s prosperity. He was a gifted Professor of Medicine and Midwifery at Edinburgh and improved the design of forceps for childbirth, as well as legitimising obstetrics as a respected specialty.
pioneer of sterile surgery and antiseptic techniques. Lister introduced carbolic acid as an antiseptic agent for the prevention of infection during medical procedures, in response to the work of Louis Pasteur. Though not an Edinburgh graduate, he was a highly respected teacher as the Chair of Clinical Surgery at Edinburgh and counted Joseph Bell amongst his students. He presented his dissertation to the Society in 1855, and at the height of his fame in 1871 delivered another treatise after his e
Medical lecturer and surgeon. As a President in 1858, he presented his dissertation on Epithelial Cancer, and a further communication two years later as a house-surgeon. Bell was Queen Victoria’s surgeon in Scotland and his skill of observation and deduction in diagnosis inspired his student, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, to create the character of Sherlock Holmes. He served as President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh from 1887.
Prominent pathologist and the first to describe Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Hodgkin was an early advocate of disease prevention in healthcare and published the definitive histology textbooks of his era.
Surgeon and founder of the British Medical Association (BMA). Hastings was elected a President of the RMS in 1817 and read his dissertation, involving historically early use of the microscope, on blood vessels in inflammation. In his conclusion he celebrated the value of the Society in his education and went on to be a great philanthropist in his hometown of Worcester.
Physician who discovered Addison’s disease and pernicious anaemia. As a student, he served on the RMS’ Museum Committee. He was known as a remarkably talented lecturer in London and expanded the profession’s knowledge of pneumonia, appendicitis and fatty liver, but was not credited with much of this work during his lifetime.
Anatomist and Professor of Surgery at Edinburgh. Bell was the definitive neurologist of his time, differentiating motor and sensory nerve roots and becoming best known for his discovery of Bell’s palsy. He operated at the Battle of Waterloo.
Six-time President of the RMS and asylum founder. Duncan fought for humane care of psychiatric patients and was recognised for his work by being twice elected as President of the Royal College of Physicians. He continued his lifelong commitment to the RMS in his role as treasurer and was First Physician to the King in Scotland.
Physician who discovered digitalis, the active ingredient in the foxglove plant. He conducted experiments to find its safest use for the treatment of heart failure and it is now widely used as digoxin.
Physician and father of dermatology. Willan was the first to clinically describe and classify a range of skin diseases, and published the first illustrations of dermatological disorders.