Thomas Chavasse, originally of French extraction, came of a family who had practised for generations at Burford, Oxfordshire. His father, who had qualified before there was a vacancy in the family practice, started in Walsall, where Thomas Chavasse was born in 1800. He went to a Kensington School, and at 16 was apprenticed as resident pupil for five years in the General Hospital, Birmingham. After that he became a student at St Bartholomew's, and a follower of Abernethy. On returning to Birmingham in 1822, he quickly obtained the largest general practice. Working early and late, in 1850 his health gave way; he moved to Leamington and purchased property at Wylde Green. After a rest of three years he was able to recommence consulting practice, acquiring a wide county connection, and attending on two days a week at the Minories, Birmingham. At Sutton Coldfield, near which is Wylde Green, he was a member of the Corporation, and for three years Warden, or Mayor. He was one of the first members of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association which enlarged into the British Medical Association, and a Trustee of the Medical Benevolent Society. He married twice and left ten children, his sixth son being Sir Thomas Chavasse (qv). He died at Wylde Green House on October 19th, 1884, and the *Birmingham Daily Post* published an appreciation of him as a family practitioner.