12 Facts About William Whitla

Sir William Whitla was an Irish physician and politician.

William Whitla next spent some time in London, at St Thomas's Hospital, where he met his future wife, Ada Bourne, daughter of George Bourne, a prominent Staffordshire farmer.

William Whitla was a ward sister and friend of Florence Nightingale, and a member of the Salvation Army.

William Whitla was awarded the MD of the Queen's University of Ireland in 1877, with first class honours, gold medal, and commendation.

William Whitla was appointed physician to the Belfast Royal Hospital and the Ulster Hospital for Children and Women in 1882.

William Whitla held that post at the Belfast Royal Hospital and in the Royal Victoria Hospital, of which it was the forerunner, until his retirement in 1918.

William Whitla succeeded Seaton Reid as professor of materia medica at the Queen's College in 1890; he was twice president of the Ulster Medical Society.

In 1906, William Whitla was appointed a governor of Methodist College Belfast and he took a keen interest in the school's affairs.

William Whitla served the British Medical Association as president.

William Whitla was appointed Honorary Physician to the King in Ireland in 1919, and was university pro-chancellor.

Lady William Whitla died in 1932; he died at Lennoxvale on 11 December 1933, and was given a civic funeral two days later; he was buried at Belfast City Cemetery.

The Sir William Whitla Hall was opened in 1949, and now bears a plaque commemorating him.