Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Abernethy, John

For works with similar titles, see Abernethy, John.

ABERNETHY, JOHN, an eminent English surgeon, founder of the School of St. Bartholomew's; born in London, Apr. 3, 1764. He was educated at Wolverhampton grammar school, and in 1779 was apprenticed to the assistant surgeon at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. In 1787 he was himself elected assistant surgeon to St. Bartholomew's, and soon after began to lecture. At first, he manifested extraordinary diffidence, but his power soon developed itself, and his lectures at last attracted crowds. His practice increased with his celebrity, which the eccentricity and rudeness of his manners contributed to heighten. He died at Enfield, April 28, 1881.