The New Student's Reference Work/Simpson, James Young

Simp′son, Sir James Young, a Scotch physician, was born in Linlithgowshire, June 7, 1811. He studied in Edinburgh, attracting attention by his ability and especially by his thesis on Death from Inflammation when he took his medical degree. He rose rapidly in his profession, contributing largely to the renown of the Edinburgh school. In 1847 he was made one of her Majesty's physicians for Scotland. His greatest claim to distinction rests on his introduction of chloroform into medical use in March of 1847. His publications include a large number of medical works. He died on May 6, 1870. A bronze statue of him was erected in Edinburgh in 1877. See Memoir by Duns.