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John Abernethy was appointed Assistant Surgeon to St Bartholomew's Hospital in 1787. The post had few clinical responsibilities, so Abernethy became attracted to teaching. In January 1788, he advertised a course of anatomical lectures at his home in Bartholomew Close. Due to the popularity of his lectures, Abernethy's request for a purpose-built lecture theatre (designed by George Dance the younger) was granted in 1791. His medical skills, vivid and eccentric personality, and the celebrity of his lectures – together with his writings – were such that the lecture theatre had to be rebuilt in 1822 to cope with the increasing numbers of students attending. Abernethy argued that the Hospital would gain by having students as medical assistants, while the students would benefit from hospital practice.
Barts Health NHS Trust Archives and Museums
London
Title
John Abernethy (1764–1831)
Date
1837 or before
Medium
marble
Accession number
RLHINV/921
Acquisition method
gift from the wife of John Abernethy
Work type
Bust
