Newman, William (1833 - 1903)
by
 
Royal College of Surgeons of England

Asset Name
E002800 - Newman, William (1833 - 1903)

Title
Newman, William (1833 - 1903)

Author
Royal College of Surgeons of England

Identifier
RCS: E002800

Publisher
London : Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publication Date
2012-08-29

Subject
Medical Obituaries

Description
Obituary for Newman, William (1833 - 1903), Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Language
English

Source
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows

Full Name
Newman, William

Date of Birth
29 August 1833

Place of Birth
Hallfield

Date of Death
3 December 1903

Occupation
General surgeon

Titles/Qualifications
MRCS October 6th 1854
 
FRCS June 13th 1867
 
LSA 1854
 
MB Lond (Hons) 1858
 
MD 1859
 
MRCP Lond 1889
 
JP for Borough of Stamford

Details
Born at Hallfield, near Sheffield, on August 29th, 1833, the son of Robert Newman, land agent to Earl Fitzwilliam. He received his education under Dr Jacob at Sheffield Collegiate School, and was here well grounded in the classics and learnt the art of addressing an audience. He began the study of medicine in the house of his uncle, Dr Freemen Eaton, of Ancaster, where he formed a friendship with his future patron, the Earl of Ancaster. He then studied at St Bartholomew's Hospital, where his student career was one of distinction. After qualifying he was for a time House Surgeon to the Salop Infirmary (Shrewsbury Hospital), and then acted as assistant to his uncle, Dr Eaton, from whom he went to practise at Fulbeck, near Grantham. But he did not long remain here, and in 1863, at the instance of Lord Ancaster, he settled at Stamford. It was suggested that he should aim to become Assistant Physician to St Bartholomew's; such an appointment would probably have led him very far up in his profession. At Stamford, however, he found sufficient scope for his activities, and built up an important practice, being, at the time of his death, one of the best-known surgeons in the Midlands. He was for thirty years Surgeon at the Stamford and Rutland Infirmary, and on retiring was made Consulting Surgeon. In a few years, however, he resumed the Surgeoncy, and operated in the Infirmary until the autumn before his death. Among other posts held by him was that of Medical Officer of Lord Burghley's Hospital. He was also Vice-President of the Section of Surgery at the British Medical Association Meeting at Nottingham in 1892, and Life Governor of Epsom College. He practised at Barn Hill House. It is a noteworthy and pathetic fact that he finally died in the Infirmary to which he had been so devoted, having been brought thither from his cottage at the upland village of Luffenham. His death occurred on December 3rd, 1903. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Tinley Newton, daughter of Mr William Newton, of Sudbroke; by this union were born two sons and four daughters. By his second wife he left one son. One of his sons was Lieut-Colonel E A R Newman, IMS, MB Cantab, MRCS. Newman is described as a man of middle height with massive head and bushy beard, grave but kindly blue eyes, twinkling under shaggy eyebrows. His precise diction, together with his impressive voice and somewhat austere aspect, made him appear formidable at times to timid patients on a first interview. He had a reputation, not altogether undeserved, of being apt to take the gravest view of a case. As a professional man he was the soul of honour, and when called in consultation he invariably strengthened the practitioner's position with the patient. As a physician his rare insight was the outcome of careful diagnostic methods and up-to-date knowledge of medical literature. As a surgeon he was cautious but intrepid, and was amongst the first to master the technique of antiseptic and subsequently of aseptic surgery. The keynote of his work was thoroughness. Publications: *Caesarean Section: Recovery of Mother: Child not Viable* (privately circulated), 8vo, Stamford, 1866. *On the Treatment of Naevi by Electrolysis*, 8vo, London, 1881. *Surgical Cases mainly from the Wards of the Stamford, Rutland and General Infirmary*, 8vo, London, 1881. *History of the Stamford Infirmary*. *Pamphlet of Records of the Lincolnshire Medical Benevolent Society*, centenary publication (1903) by William Newman as President. *Drainage and Water Supply of Towns*. *How to make Home Healthy*. "On Punctured Wounds of Knee-joint." - *Brit Med Jour*, 1857, 539; 1864, ii, 623. "Diphtheria." - *St Bart's Hosp Rep*, 1866, ii, 35. "Cases of Lithotomy." - *Ibid*, 1870, vi, 26. *Address* (*on Provident Medical Dispensaries*), 8vo, Stamford, 1886.

Sources
*Brit Med Jour*, 1903, ii, 1620, with portrait
 
*Lancet*, 1903, ii, 1764

Rights
Copyright (c) The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Collection
Plarr's Lives of the Fellows

Format
Obituary

Format
Asset

Asset Path
Root/Lives of the Fellows/E002000-E002999/E002800-E002899

URL for File
374983

Media Type
Unknown