| Administrative History | Biographical information about Withering's biographers:
Thomas Whitmore Peck became interested in researching and tracing the Withering family tree in about 1912. He collaborated with (Kenneth) Douglas Wilkinson (1886-1951), who had acquired a number of Withering letters and documents, in research for a biography of William Withering. However, according to the Preface of the published volume written by Wilkinson, a serious illness 'overwhelmed' Peck in early 1944 and consequently, the actual writing and general plan of the book must be attributed to Wilkinson. Wilkinson was educated at Birmingham University (MB, Ch.B 1909; MD 1912; MRCP 1914; FRCP 1929) and from 1925 was physician to the Birmingham United Hospital and consulting physician to Children's Hospital, Birmingham, Professor of Therapeutics in the University of Birmingham, 1929-1946. In addition to the Withering book, his publications include 'The History of the Birmingham Medical School', 1925, and various articles in professional journals.
Reference: Who was who, 1951-1960
Biographical information about William Withering:
William Withering, botanist and physicist, is credited with the introduction of digitalis into the practice of medicine. Withering was born in Wellington, Shropshire, in 1741. He followed in the medical footsteps of his father who was an apothecary-surgeon. Withering received his degree in 1766 from the University of Edinburgh. Withering published 19 articles during his lifetime. After fighting a long battle with tuberculosis, he died on 6 October 1799, at the age of 58. Digitalis purpurea in Withering's 18th century was a blessing for people with dropsy. At the same time, foxglove concoctions began to appear in an attempt to cure, albeit unsuccessfuly, illnesses such as asthma, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, insanity and others. The 18th century brought foxglove into medical light, but it would take several hundred years before its true healing powers could be harnessed completely.
Reference: Hand Kocher, Digitalis Purpurea Cardia Glycoside (http://www.csoll.tamu.edu/FLORA/wilson/481/medbot/bot2.htm ) |