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Duncan, Andrew, 1773-1832 (the younger | British physician)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1773 - 1832

Biography

Andrew Duncan, son of Andrew Duncan the elder (1744-1827), was born in Edinburgh on 10 August 1773. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and was apprenticed to the Edinburgh surgeons Alexander and George Wood. He graduated with the degree of M.A. in 1793 and M.D. in 1794. He then studied in London and made visits to medical schools abroad, in Gottingen, Vienna, Pisa and Naples among others. On his return to Edinburgh he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and a Physician to the Royal Public Dispensary. He then became Physician to the Fever Hospital at Queensberry House. Duncan's travels abroad had shown him the necessity of closer co-operation between the medical profession and the State, particularly with regard to criminal law, and he stressed this point whenever he could.

Indeed, in 1807 a Chair of Medical Jurisprudence and Medical Police was set up at Edinburgh University with Duncan as its first Professor. In addition, from 1809 to 1822, he performed the duties of Secretary of the Senatus and Librarian to the University. In 1819 he resigned as Professor of Medical Jurisprudence on being appointed to assist his father in the Chair of the Institutes of Medicine. In 1821, Duncan was elected Professor of Materia Medica at Edinburgh University. His Edinburgh Dispensary was published in 1803. From 1816 until his death, Duncan was an active member of the Commission for the re-building of the University (the Adam-Playfair buildings of the Old College). Andrew Duncan, junior, died on 13 May 1832.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Manuscript notebook of Dr Thomas Charles Hope recording medical case histories

 Fonds — Box CLX-A-1704
Identifier: Coll-2024
Content Description

Manuscript notebook of Dr Thomas Charles Hope recording medical case histories. The constellation of Dr Hope, Dr Duncan, and Dr Rutherford together with the mention of patients being admitted "into the Infirmary" lead to the ascription of this being notes from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The Dr Duncan mentioned several times in the text is presumably Andrew Duncan (1773-1832), who founded the hospital.

Dates: ca 1796

Papers of Professor Andrew Duncan, junior

 Fonds — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Coll-7
Scope and Contents

The papers of Professor Andrew Duncan at Dc.1.90 include letters and other material mostly about his travels and studies abroad. At Gen. 61-66 are notes of lectures on Materia Medica delivered between 1831 and 1832. There are also notes for his Edinburgh Dispensary (1803).

Dates: circa 1818-1832