20 March 2025, 7.30 pm at the Holy Trinity Church – by Peter Raine, Paediatric Surgeon
Sir William Fergusson – short biography
William Fergusson was born in Prestonpans in 1808 and died in London 1877.
From his earliest years it was clear that he had exceptional talents. After schooling at Edinburgh High School he qualified in Medicine in Edinburgh at the age of 17.
After a brief dalliance with the Law, he trained in surgery in Edinburgh. He rapidly established himself in the higher echelons of surgery and gained an international reputation.
His talents and surgical skills were recognised by appointment to the chair of surgery at Kings College Hospital in London – a path trodden by previous eminent Edinburgh surgeons.
Many surgical successes and important appointments followed and culminated in his becoming Sergeant Surgeon to Queen Victoria in 1867.
Throughout his life he kept a close interest in the arts, culture and high Victorian society and was distinguished by an appearance in Vanity Fair.
In his last years and declining health he returned more to his family home at Spitalhaugh, West Linton
Crowds gathered at Euston station to salute his cortege and departure to his burial in St Andrew’s Churchyard, West Linton in 1877.
About Peter A M Raine
Born and brought up in Darwen, a Lancashire mill town. Bolton School (1950-60). Cambridge University (1960-64) Natural Sciences degree. St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London (1964—67) MA MB BChir medical degree.
Trained in surgery and paediatric surgery in London, Edinburgh, Melbourne 1967-2007.
Fellow of Edinburgh and Glasgow Royal Colleges of Surgeons.
Career as Consultant Paediatric and Neonatal Surgeon (Royal Children’s Hospital, Glasgow) and Lecturer in Paediatric Surgery University of Glasgow from 1977 to 2006
Special interests in neonatal surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, care of burn injuries, cleft lip and palate surgery.
Chairman of British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (2000-2002).
Published 2 books, 10 book chapters and over 100 scientific papers principally related to paediatric surgical topics. Invited to visit and present papers in various British and European centres and also at congresses in India, Pakistan, Turkey, Japan.
Retied in 2006 to Carlops in the Borders Region. Involved in village, local and family life and affairs together with natural history, woodlands and gardening.