Young, Thomas, -1783

Born in 1730, Thomas Young received his M.D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1761. He first apprenticed as an apothecary and surgeon in Edinburgh, becoming a master surgeon in 1755. In 1751 he joined the Incorporation of Surgeons, a surgeons' guild in Edinburgh, and became its head or Deacon in 1756. He remained with the Incorporation until 1762 when he resigned to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. Young was appointed Professor of Midwifery at the University of Edinburgh in 1756. Although instruction in midwifery had previously been given, his lectures were regarded as the first systemic courses given at the University, and he is generally considered to be the father of its School of Obstetrics. During Young's tenure, he created a Lying-In Ward at the Royal Infirmary to give clinical lectures. This ward eventually became the Edinburgh Maternity Hospital. In 1780, Alexander Hamilton joined Young as Conjunct Professor of Midwifery. Young continued teaching until his death in 1783.