Sir Michael Foster

Michael Foster was born in Huntingdon in 1836. He was educated at Huntingdon Grammar School and at University School and College, London. Between 1860 and 1866, he practised as a surgeon in Huntingdon and in 1867, was appointed lecturer at University College, London, holding the chair of practical physiology two years later. In 1883, he became the first professor of physiology at the University of Cambridge, a post he remained in until 1903. He was knighted in 1899 and between 1900 and 1906, served as Member of Parliament for the University of London. He died in 1907.

From the guide to the Sir Michael Foster collection, 1901, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)