1. Robert Christison was the first person to describe renal anaemia.
14 Facts About Robert Christison
1. 2.
Robert Christison was a twin, his elder brother was later Rev Alexander Christison.
3.
Robert Christison attended the Royal High School before studying medicine at University of Edinburgh, graduating in 1819.
4.
Robert Christison then spent a short time in London, studying under John Abernethy and Sir William Lawrence, and in Paris, where he learned analytical chemistry from Pierre Robiquet and toxicology from Mathieu Orfila.
5.
Robert Christison became an authority on poisons, and his treatise on them was published in 1829.
6.
In 1822 Robert Christison was elected a member of the Harveian Society of Edinburgh and served as President in 1837.
7.
Robert Christison was a strong opposer of women in the field of medicine, a view in Edinburgh eventually undermined by his colleague, Patrick Heron Watson's admission of women students to his extra mural surgery classes.
8.
Robert Christison, who retained remarkable physical vigour and activity until old age, died at home, 40 Moray Place in Edinburgh on 27 January 1882.
9.
Robert Christison is buried in New Calton Cemetery in a family plot created by his father, Alexander Christison, on one of the south-facing terraces.
10.
Robert Christison was unequivocally opposed to women studying medicine and qualifying as doctors, and led the campaign against Sophia Jex-Blake and the Edinburgh Seven.
11.
Robert Christison was an influential figure both within the University and in the wider civic life of Edinburgh, and his opinion was held in high regard.
12.
Robert Christison shared the view of many of his contemporaries that nature intended women to be mothers and housekeepers, and lacked the intellectual ability and stamina of men.
13.
Robert Christison's influence was largely responsible for the eventual decision taken by the University not to allow the women to graduate.
14.
On 20 October 1827 he and Henrietta Sophia Brown were married and together they had three sons, including Sir Alexander Robert Christison, who inherited the baronetcy, and David Robert Christison.