John Gregory
John Gregory (June 3, 1724–1773) made major contributions to the history of medical ethics.[1] He wrote the first philosophical, secular, clinical medical ethics in the English language, and did so on the basis of David Hume's "principle of sympathy".[2] His work on medical ethics achieved wide influence in Britain, Europe, and America, from the end of the 18th century well into the 19th century. [3]
John Gregory was born into a family rich in intellectual tradition. His father, James Gregory (d. 1731), was Professor of Medicine at King's College, Aberdeen, and the son of the mathematician James Gregory (1638-1675), the Elder. The brother of James Gregory the Elder was the inventor David Gregory (1627-1720), whose son was Professor of Mathematics David Gregory (1661-1708). [4]
John Gregory himself became Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh University, and in turn his son James Gregory (1753-1821) became Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh University.
References
- ↑ John Gregory’s Writings on Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine Springer, ISBN 978-0-7923-5000-2 (Print) 978-0-585-32315-2 (Online)
- ↑ McCullough LB (1999) Hume's Influence on John Gregory and the History of Medical Ethics. The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 24:376-95
- ↑ Truman JT (1995) The compleat physician: John Gregory MD (1724-1773). J Med Biogr. 3:63-70. PMID 11640039
- ↑ Papers of Professor James Gregory (1638-1675), the Elder