Thomas Simson (1696–1764) was a Scottish medical academic at the

University of St Andrews (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...

Life

He was born in 1696. He obtained the degree of MD from the

University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

in 1720, and two years later, in 1722 was appointed as the first Chandos Professor of Medicine at St Salvator's College,

University of St Andrews (Aien aristeuein) , motto_lang = grc , mottoeng = Ever to ExcelorEver to be the Best , established = , type = Public research university Ancient university , endowment ...

, the first specifically medical appointment at the university. He was notable for lecturing predominantly in English, rather than the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

which was at that time the normal language within the university.

Works

His publications included: *''Conick sections. Pitcarnii doctrina de circulatione sanguinii'' (1714) *''De Re Medica'' (1726) *''A System of the Womb'' (1729) *''An inquiry how far the vital and animal actions of the more perfect animals can be accounted for independent of the brain'' (1752)

Family

He married Margaret Preston on 20 January 1724, who bore him four children: Preston Simson (''1728–1815''); Robert Simson (''1731–1817''); Agnes Simson (''1733–1780''); and

James Simson James Simson 1740–1770 was a medical academic and the second Chandos Professor of Medicine and Anatomy at the University of St Andrews, from 1764 to 1770. He was born on 21 March 1740, son of Thomas Simson Thomas Simson (1696–1764) was a Sco ...

(''1740–1770''). He died in 1764, and who succeeded by his son

as Chandos Professor at the university.

References

*''

Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Simson, Thomas Academics of the University of St Andrews Alumni of the University of Glasgow 1696 births 1764 deaths