George Howard Monks
Encyclopedia
George Howard Monks was born in Boston
, Massachusetts
. After graduation in Harvard medical school in 1880, he followed a 4 year internship in European medical centers during which he invented in 1883 the game Halma
(ancient Greek for "jump") derived from the British game Hoppity together with the mathematician Thomas Hill
. Halma and the derived Chinese Checkers
knew great commercial success in the following years. He also invented a game called Basilinda
. Monks began the practice of surgery in Boston in 1884 as he was appointed district physician of the Boston Dispensary
and, later, visiting surgeon to the Carney Hospital. In 1890, he entered the Boston City Hospital and was promoted through various grades to surgeon-in-chief in 1910. From 1886 to 1926 Monks was connected with the Harvard Medical School (Department of Surgical Anatomy) but more importantly with Harvard Dental School where he was appointed Professor of Oral Surgery.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. After graduation in Harvard medical school in 1880, he followed a 4 year internship in European medical centers during which he invented in 1883 the game Halma
Halma
Halma is a board game invented in 1883 or 1884 by an American thoracic surgeon at Harvard Medical School, George Howard Monks. The inspiration was an English game called Hoppity, which was devised in 1854....
(ancient Greek for "jump") derived from the British game Hoppity together with the mathematician Thomas Hill
Thomas Hill (clergyman)
-References:...
. Halma and the derived Chinese Checkers
Chinese checkers
Chinese checkers is a board game that can be played by two, three, four, or six people, playing individually or with partners...
knew great commercial success in the following years. He also invented a game called Basilinda
Basilinda
Basilinda, a game created by George Howard Monks, the author of Halma. It lists itself as a game for the amusement of children. Copyrighted in 1890 by Halma Co., Basilinda was published by E.I. Horsman, 80 & 82 William St., N.Y.. The game involves the placing of cannon and pieces on either side...
. Monks began the practice of surgery in Boston in 1884 as he was appointed district physician of the Boston Dispensary
Boston Dispensary
The Boston Dispensary or Boston Medical Dispensary provided for "medical relief of the poor" in Boston, Massachusetts, from the late 18th century through the mid-20th century...
and, later, visiting surgeon to the Carney Hospital. In 1890, he entered the Boston City Hospital and was promoted through various grades to surgeon-in-chief in 1910. From 1886 to 1926 Monks was connected with the Harvard Medical School (Department of Surgical Anatomy) but more importantly with Harvard Dental School where he was appointed Professor of Oral Surgery.