Archibald Robertson (physician)


Archibald Robertson was a Scottish physician and medical author who had a notable naval career, followed by a long private practice.

Biography

Robertson was born at Cockburnspath, near Dunbar, on 3 December 1789, and educated at Duns school, and afterwards by Mr. Strachan in Berwickshire.
He studied Medicine at Edinburgh University, graduating MB ChB in 1908. He then obtained a post as an assistant surgeon in 1808, being appointed to Mill Prison hospital for French prisoners at Plymouth. In 1809 he was in Lord Gambier's flagship in Basque roads, when Lord Dundonald tried to burn the French fleet. He then served in the Baltic, and afterwards in the West Indies, in the and the, besides boat service in the attempt on New Orleans. At the peace of 1815 with the United States he went on half-pay, having received a medal with two clasps.
He gained his doctorate from Edinburgh in 1817, his thesis being on the dysentery of hot climates.
In 1818 he settled in Northampton, where he obtained a lucrative practice. In 1820 he was elected physician to the Northampton infirmary. In 1853 he retired to Clifton. On 11 February. 1836 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and in the same year became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1844 he served as President of the British Medical Association.
He died at 11 West Mall, Clifton, Bristol, on 19 October 1864.

Family

He was married to Lucy. Their children included the Rev. George Samuel Robertson, M.A. of Exeter College, Oxford, the father of Archibald Robertson, bishop of Exeter.

Family

He was married to Lucy. Their children included the Rev. George Samuel Robertson, M.A. of Exeter College, Oxford, the father of Archibald Robertson, bishop of Exeter.

Publications

Robertson wrote:
He also contributed to John Forbes's Cyclopædia of Practical Medicine, 1833–5, 4 vols.