14 Facts About James Niven

James Niven was a Scottish physician, perhaps best known for his work during the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918 as Manchester's Medical Officer of Health.

James Niven held that position for 28 years, until he retired.

James Niven had previously been Oldham's Medical Officer of Health.

James Niven graduated with a Scottish MA from the University of Aberdeen and from 1870 studied at Queens' College, Cambridge, gaining his BA in 1874 as 8th Wrangler in the Mathematical Tripos and becoming a fellow at Queens'.

James Niven's intention was to study engineering but he switched to the study of medicine after gaining his Cambridge MA in 1877.

In 1886, James Niven left private practice after four years and was appointed as Medical Officer of Health for Oldham, a post that he held until 1894.

James Niven was simultaneously appointed as Medical Superintendent at Westhulme Hospital.

James Niven used Koch's treatment at the Oldham General Infirmary on his return, as well as dealing with smallpox, typhus, measles, scarlet fever and whooping cough.

James Niven moved to his new post as Medical Officer of Health for Manchester in 1894 and remained in that role until his retirement in 1922.

James Niven succeeded John Tatham in the role after being preferred over 32 other applicants and became the longest-serving holder of the post, which was abolished in 1974.

James Niven dealt with many of the same public health problems in Manchester as he had while in Oldham.

James Niven was responsible for Monsall Hospital, a fever hospital, being bought by Manchester Corporation from its then owners, the Manchester Royal Infirmary.

In 1923, James Niven published Observations on the History of Public Health Effort in Manchester.

James Niven requested that he be buried at sea and was survived by his daughters.