Sir James Young Simpson (1811–1870)

Image credit: Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

James Young Simpson was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, the youngest of seven sons of David Simpson, baker. His mother, Mary Jervay, was 40 when James was born, her eighth child; she died at the age of 49 and Mary, her only daughter, took her place in the home. James went to Edinburgh University and obtained the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; he graduated with an MD in 1832. He commenced general practice in the Stockbridge district of Edinburgh, with a special interest in midwifery, and early in his career conducted research into the relief of pain; 10 years before the discovery of chloroform, Dr Simpson and Dr John Abercrombie experimented with hypnotism. He was 29 when the Town Council of Edinburgh selected him to succeed Professor Hamilton in the Chair of Midwifery.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Title

Sir James Young Simpson (1811–1870)

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 205.7 x W 137 cm

Accession number

PCF02

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

9 Queen Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ Scotland

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue