Was a pupil at the Plymouth Royal Naval Hospital in 1813 under Sir Stephen Hammick (qv). Here he began his anatomical studies, and saw much practice, both surgical and medical, among the men engaged in the fleet during the war with France. He then entered St Bartholomew’s Hospital as a student, and was appointed prosector by Abernethy. He was the first to use a vermilion composition for injecting arteries in subjects for dissection, and was in consequence called at the time ‘Rouge’ Brendon. Frederick Carpenter Skey (qv), on his first visit to the prosectors’ room with Abernethy, was introduced by him to Brendon, with the remark: “Brendon, teach this young man how to hold a scalpel”. The friendship thus begun between the two young men continued to the death of Skey. In 1817 Brendon began to practise at Launceston, where he was near his home and relatives, and was soon successful in making a large practice. After more than twenty years’ hard work in the country he sought relief by coming to Tavistock Square, London, where he joined partnership with Joseph Amesbury, MRCS, the orthopaedic surgeon, whose practice lay in Devonshire Street, Portland Place. In two years’ time Brendon had found out that orthopaedic practice was not to his taste, and he removed to Highgate (latterly at 3 Grove), purchasing a share of Mr Snow’s practice, which he soon acquired in its entirety, and by his energy and sterling qualities extended till it was one of the largest in the north of London. He retired in 1860, and lived among his many friends till his death in May, 1883.