James Wardrop (1782-1869): from Whitburn to Windsor Castle

The medical career of a Scottish doctor, James Wardrop, in the 19th century is described. An early interest in the developing science of Pathology in the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was expanded further when he moved to London, due to financial needs. Despite being outside the London teaching hospital scene, he continued to publish and teach in the private schools of the time. His interest in ophthalmology led him to describe what we now know as retinoblastoma, with recommendation for treatment. He also described sympathetic ophthalmitis and performed paracentesis in acute angle-closure glaucoma. He became surgeon to the Prince of Wales, later King George IV, but his criticism of other medical men at court led to his exclusion from the King at the scene of his death. He owned a notable collection of pictures and presented two of them to the National Gallery of Scotland on its foundation in 1850. In recent years, his work has been recognised by leading ophthalmologists, particularly in the USA. The Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh contains several of his works, and his portrait hangs in the College.