William Shearman
Encyclopedia
William Shearman or Sherman, was a British
physician and medical writer, born at Harwich
. He graduated an M.D.
from Edinburgh
on September 12, 1807 (with a dissertation on pneumonia
), and was admitted as a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians
, London
, on April 11, 1808. He commenced practice as a physician in London, but soon removed to Maidstone
, whence he returned to the metropolis in 1813. He practiced for many years in Northampton Square, Clerkenwell
, and subsequently, until his death, at 17 Canonbury Villas, Islington
. He was physician to the London Dispensary from 1813 to 1824, to the Infirmary for Children in Waterloo Road
from 1816, and to the West London Infirmary and Lying-in Institution in Villiers Street from 1821. He was the senior member of the medical staff when the last-named institution became the Charing Cross Hospital
, a position which he retained in the new hospital until 1852. To the Charing Cross Hospital school of medicine he rendered important services by his annual lectures on the theory and practice of medicine. His Introductory Lecture was published in 1834. In 1852 he became consulting physician, and retired from practice. For several years he filled the office of treasurer to the Medical Society of London
, in 1824 was president of the society, and in 1834 published an oration delivered before it. He died on November 21, 1861, and the age of ninety-four, and was buried at Highgate cemetery
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
physician and medical writer, born at Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
. He graduated an M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
from 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...
on September 12, 1807 (with a dissertation on pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
), and was admitted as a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
, 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...
, on April 11, 1808. He commenced practice as a physician in London, but soon removed to Maidstone
Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England, south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river was a source and route for much of the town's trade. Maidstone was the centre of the agricultural...
, whence he returned to the metropolis in 1813. He practiced for many years in Northampton Square, Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
, and subsequently, until his death, at 17 Canonbury Villas, Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
. He was physician to the London Dispensary from 1813 to 1824, to the Infirmary for Children in Waterloo Road
Royal Waterloo Hospital for Children and Women
The Royal Waterloo Hospital for Children and Women was a hospital located on the corner of Waterloo Bridge Road and Stamford Street near Waterloo Station in London, England.- History :...
from 1816, and to the West London Infirmary and Lying-in Institution in Villiers Street from 1821. He was the senior member of the medical staff when the last-named institution became the Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital
Charing Cross Hospital is a general, acute hospital located in London, United Kingdom and established in 1818. It is located several miles to the west of the city centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham....
, a position which he retained in the new hospital until 1852. To the Charing Cross Hospital school of medicine he rendered important services by his annual lectures on the theory and practice of medicine. His Introductory Lecture was published in 1834. In 1852 he became consulting physician, and retired from practice. For several years he filled the office of treasurer to the Medical Society of London
Medical Society of London
The Medical Society of London is one of the oldest surviving medical societies in the United Kingdom ....
, in 1824 was president of the society, and in 1834 published an oration delivered before it. He died on November 21, 1861, and the age of ninety-four, and was buried at Highgate cemetery
Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is a cemetery located in north London, England. It is designated Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It is divided into two parts, named the East and West cemetery....
.
Publications
In 1799 he was one of the staff of a periodical called "The New Medical and Physical Journal, or Annals of Medicine, Natural History and Chemistry", and from 1810 to 1812 he was its editor. He continued his connection with the publication until 1815.- Articles on "EpilepsyEpilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
", "VaccinationVaccinationVaccination is the administration of antigenic material to stimulate the immune system of an individual to develop adaptive immunity to a disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by many pathogens...
", and "CirculationCirculatory systemThe circulatory system is an organ system that passes nutrients , gases, hormones, blood cells, etc...
", in Medical Reports (1824). - Observations Illustrative of the History and Treatment of Chronic Debility, the Prolific Source of Indigestion, Spasmodic Diseases and Various Nervous Affections (1824).
- An Essay on the Nature, Causes, and Treatment of Water on the Brain (London, 1825).