John Munro (surgeon)
Encyclopedia
John Munro the third son of Sir Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts
, was an important member of Edinburgh University.
After serving as an army surgeon, he settled in Edinburgh
, and conceived the design of establishing a medical faculty at the University, along with George Drummond, Lord Provost. They realised that Leiden's medical students brought wealth to that town, and used this as a model for repairing that part of Edinburgh's fortunes which had been lost after the Union of 1707 when the aristocracy moved their social focus to London
.
John was educated in physic and surgery being apprenticed to William Borthwick, surgeon, and after 1689 to the famous Dr Christopher Irvine. He got part of his training at Leiden University
, which he entered on October 11th 1692 On March 7th 1695 he was commissioned Surgeon General Sir Henry Belasyse's Regiment of Foot, the 6th Warwickshire Regiment. During that spring they were in camp between Bruges and Ghent and later in that year they took part in the siege of Namur under the personal command of King William III of Great Britain. In 1700 John Munro left the army and settled in Edinburgh
. He was admitted to the Incorporation of Surgeons of Edinburgh
on the 11th of March 1703. The Town Council appointed him to take charge of their sick pensioners. In 1712 and 1713 John was elected Deacon of the Surgeons, and in the same years was chosen Deacon Convenor of the Trades with a seat on the Town Council, as a gentleman, well affected to Her Majesty's Person and Government. On the ascension of King George I of Great Britain
he gave his allegiance to the House of Hanover
.
John educated his only son, Alexander Monro (primus)
, and secured his appointment in 1720 as the first Professor of Anatomy and Surgery. The plan was successful, and in the hundred and twenty-six years during which Alexander, his son, Alexander Monro (secundus)
and grandson Alexander Monro (tertius) occupied the chair of anatomy, Edinburgh reached the first rank of medical schools.
John Munro died at Carrolside in 1740. His portrait by William Aikman
hangs in the Surgeons' Hall, Edinburgh. John's descendants would succeed as heads of the Munro of Auchinbowie
family.
Sir Alexander Munro of Bearcrofts
- Lineage :The Munro of Milntown of Milntown family descend from John Munro, 1st of Milntown, the second son of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis . Three generations after John Munro, 1st of Miltown is George Munro 4th of Milntown who became one of the most prominent ministers in the Reformed Church...
, was an important member of Edinburgh University.
After serving as an army surgeon, he settled in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, and conceived the design of establishing a medical faculty at the University, along with George Drummond, Lord Provost. They realised that Leiden's medical students brought wealth to that town, and used this as a model for repairing that part of Edinburgh's fortunes which had been lost after the Union of 1707 when the aristocracy moved their social focus to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
John was educated in physic and surgery being apprenticed to William Borthwick, surgeon, and after 1689 to the famous Dr Christopher Irvine. He got part of his training at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
, which he entered on October 11th 1692 On March 7th 1695 he was commissioned Surgeon General Sir Henry Belasyse's Regiment of Foot, the 6th Warwickshire Regiment. During that spring they were in camp between Bruges and Ghent and later in that year they took part in the siege of Namur under the personal command of King William III of Great Britain. In 1700 John Munro left the army and settled in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He was admitted to the Incorporation of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh was established in the 17th century. While the RCPE is based in Edinburgh, it is by no means just a Scottish professional body - more than half of its 7,700 Fellows, Members, Associates and Affiliates live and practice medicine outside Scotland, in 86...
on the 11th of March 1703. The Town Council appointed him to take charge of their sick pensioners. In 1712 and 1713 John was elected Deacon of the Surgeons, and in the same years was chosen Deacon Convenor of the Trades with a seat on the Town Council, as a gentleman, well affected to Her Majesty's Person and Government. On the ascension of King George I of Great Britain
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
he gave his allegiance to the House of Hanover
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
.
John educated his only son, Alexander Monro (primus)
Alexander Monro (primus)
Alexander Monro was the founder of Edinburgh Medical School. To distinguish him as the first of three generations of physicians of the same name, he is known as primus....
, and secured his appointment in 1720 as the first Professor of Anatomy and Surgery. The plan was successful, and in the hundred and twenty-six years during which Alexander, his son, Alexander Monro (secundus)
Alexander Monro (secundus)
Alexander Monro of Craiglockhart and Cockburn was a Scottish anatomist, surgeon and medical educator. To distinguish him as the second of three generations of physicians of the same name, he is known as secundus. His students included the naval physician and abolitionist Thomas Trotter...
and grandson Alexander Monro (tertius) occupied the chair of anatomy, Edinburgh reached the first rank of medical schools.
John Munro died at Carrolside in 1740. His portrait by William Aikman
William Aikman (painter)
William Aikman was a Scottish portrait-painter.-Life and career:Aikman was the son of William Aikman, of Cairney. His father intended that he should follow the law, and gave him an education suitable to these views; but the strong predilection of the son to the fine arts induced him to attach...
hangs in the Surgeons' Hall, Edinburgh. John's descendants would succeed as heads of the Munro of Auchinbowie
Munro of Auchinbowie
The Munros of Auchinbowie are a distinguished branch of the Scottish, highland Clan Munro. From this family three Professors of Anatomy at Edinburgh University, Scotland were produced, as well as several other doctors and military officers.-Lineage:The prognitor of the Munros of Auchinbowie is...
family.