Michael T Tracy

Dr. John Goodsir (1782-1848) Michael T Tracy

In 1846, a proud father, Dr. John Goodsir wrote to his sister, Caroline, to mark his eldest son's appointment as Professor of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh, "We have all the greatest reason to be proud of dear John, his European Fame is proved to be of the first description... The name of Goodsir, though rare, is now established and will last as long as science and literature last." Little did the old surgeon and general practitioner know his words were to be truly portentous. John Goodsir was to follow his father, John (1746-1816) into a career of medicine being the second generation of medical doctors. The sea-port town of Anstruther Easter is situated on the north shore of the Firth of Forth in the Kingdom of Fife and was the birthplace of Dr. Thomas Chalmers. The small coastal town also has another distinguished resident, that being, Dr. John Goodsir who established his medical practice and raised his family at his residence which is now known today as "The Hermitage." For thirty-eight years, Goodsir served as the town's medical practitioner as well as the surrounding area. The current work describes the life of this medical doctor and surgeon, discusses his medical cases, and finally reveals his correspondences to his family, friends, and colleagues.