Robert Muir (pathologist)
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert Muir, FRS, FRSE
, FRCP, FRCPE, RFPSG (5 July 1864, Balfron
, Stirlingshire
– 30 March 1959, Edinburgh
) was a Scottish physician and pathologist who carried out pioneering work in immunology
, and was one of the leading figures in medical research in Glasgow in the early 20th century.
The son of a United Presbyterian
minister (who died when Muir was 18), he studied at the University of Edinburgh
, where he obtained an MA
degree in 1884 and an MB CM degree with first-class honours in 1888. Subsequently he qualified as a medical practitioner by receiving his MD degree in 1890.
Muir was a lecturer in bacterial pathology
at Edinburgh University (1894–98), and was briefly a professor in pathology
at St Andrews University (Dundee)
(1898–99). He spent most of his career as Professor of Pathology at Glasgow University (1899–1936), where he became recognised as one of the world's leading authorities in pathology, especially blood cell disorders
and breast cancer
. He was made LLD (Doctor of Laws) in 1937, and then served as Dean of Faculties from 1946 to 1949.
His publications included an early collection of papers on immunology, Studies in Immunity (1909, London, Oxford University Press), followed by Text-book of Pathology (1924). The latter, originally published by Edward Arnold
, became a standard textbook in the field of pathology, and by 2001, under the imprint of Hodder Arnold Publication, it had reached a 14th edition, known as Muir's Textbook of Pathology.
Muir was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
in 1911, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
in 1916. He was a member of the Royal Society of Medicine
and of the Pathological Society
. He was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal
in 1929 ("For his contributions to the science of immunology"). He received many honorary degrees, including the D.Sc. in 1934. He was awarded the Lister Medal in 1936 for his contributions to surgical science. The corresponding Lister Memorial Lecture, titled 'Malignancy with illustrations from the pathology of the mamma', was published later that year. In later life, he served in several positions in the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was on the Council from 1944–1947, and was Vice-President from 1950–1953.
During World War I he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps
, overseeing pathological and bacteriological work at Scottish hospitals. He was also Inspector of Laboratories in Scotland. Muir was knighted
in 1934. He died in 1959, at the age of 94.
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
, FRCP, FRCPE, RFPSG (5 July 1864, Balfron
Balfron
Balfron, is a village in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It is situated near Endrick Water on the A875 road, 18 miles west of Stirling and 16 miles north of Glasgow. Although a rural settlement, it lies within commuting distance of Glasgow, and serves as a dormitory town.-History:The name...
, Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
– 30 March 1959, 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...
) was a Scottish physician and pathologist who carried out pioneering work in immunology
Immunology
Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ; the...
, and was one of the leading figures in medical research in Glasgow in the early 20th century.
The son of a United Presbyterian
United Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. It was formed in 1847 by the union of the United Secession Church and the Relief Church, and in 1900 merged with the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland, which in turn united with...
minister (who died when Muir was 18), he studied at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, where he obtained an MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
degree in 1884 and an MB CM degree with first-class honours in 1888. Subsequently he qualified as a medical practitioner by receiving his MD degree in 1890.
Muir was a lecturer in bacterial pathology
Medical microbiology
Medical microbiology is both a branch of medicine and microbiology which deals with the study of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites which are of medical importance and are capable of causing infectious diseases in human beings...
at Edinburgh University (1894–98), and was briefly a professor in pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
at St Andrews University (Dundee)
University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....
(1898–99). He spent most of his career as Professor of Pathology at Glasgow University (1899–1936), where he became recognised as one of the world's leading authorities in pathology, especially blood cell disorders
Hematologic disease
-Myeloid:*Hemoglobinopathies **Sickle-cell disease**Thalassemia**Methemoglobinemia*Anemias **Iron deficiency anemia...
and breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. He was made LLD (Doctor of Laws) in 1937, and then served as Dean of Faculties from 1946 to 1949.
His publications included an early collection of papers on immunology, Studies in Immunity (1909, London, Oxford University Press), followed by Text-book of Pathology (1924). The latter, originally published by Edward Arnold
Edward Arnold (publisher)
Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd is a British publishing house with its head office in London. The firm has been publishing books for over 100 years. It is a member of the Hodder Education group. Edward Arnold publishes books and journals for students, academics and professionals.-Bibliography:*...
, became a standard textbook in the field of pathology, and by 2001, under the imprint of Hodder Arnold Publication, it had reached a 14th edition, known as Muir's Textbook of Pathology.
Muir was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in 1911, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
in 1916. He was a member of the Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Medicine
The Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
and of the Pathological Society
Pathological society
The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland is a professional organisation whose mission is stated as 'understanding disease'.- Membership and Profile :...
. He was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal
Royal Medal
The Royal Medal, also known as The Queen's Medal, is a silver-gilt medal awarded each year by the Royal Society, two for "the most important contributions to the advancement of natural knowledge" and one for "distinguished contributions in the applied sciences" made within the Commonwealth of...
in 1929 ("For his contributions to the science of immunology"). He received many honorary degrees, including the D.Sc. in 1934. He was awarded the Lister Medal in 1936 for his contributions to surgical science. The corresponding Lister Memorial Lecture, titled 'Malignancy with illustrations from the pathology of the mamma', was published later that year. In later life, he served in several positions in the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He was on the Council from 1944–1947, and was Vice-President from 1950–1953.
During World War I he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
, overseeing pathological and bacteriological work at Scottish hospitals. He was also Inspector of Laboratories in Scotland. Muir was knighted
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1934. He died in 1959, at the age of 94.
Sources
- Royal Society of Edinburgh Biographical Index of Former Fellows – Part Two (accessed 14 October 2008)
- Entry for Muir in the Royal Society's Library and Archive catalogue's details of Fellows (accessed 14 October 2008)
- Biography of Muir from the University of Glasgow – includes a picture of Muir – (accessed 14 October 2008)
- Review of 1st edition of Text-book of Pathology, Br Med J. 1925 April 25; 1(3356): 787–790 (accessed 14 October 2008)
- Synopsis of 14th edition of Muir's Textbook of Pathology (accessed 14 October 2008)
External links
- Obituary of Robert Muir, Br Med J. 1959 April 11; 1(5127): 976–979.
- Obituary of Robert Muir 1864–1959, by Roy Cameron for the Royal Society
- Personal tribute to Muir, Br Med J. 1959 April 18; 1(5128): 1050–1051.