John Chiene

Prof John Chiene CB FRSE LLD (25 February 1843 – 29 May 1923) was an eminent Scottish surgeon, working as Professor of Surgery at Edinburgh University during some of its most influential years. He was a founder of the Edinburgh Ambulance Service. The Chiene Medal is presented as an annual prize in surgery at Edinburgh University.

He was born at Howard Place in Edinburgh on 25 February 1843, the son of George Todd Chiene, a chartered accountant. He attended Edinburgh Academy from 1854 to 1860, gaining prizes in Mathematics. Whilst here he was also a friend of Robert Louis Stevenson. He then studied medicine in various prestigious centres of learning: Paris, Berlin and Vienna before qualifying MD at Edinburgh in 1865.

His first role was as a staff member at the New Town Dispensary, by then relocated from Thistle Street to 13 York Place. In 1871 (with references from Joseph Lister) he moved to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as an Assistant Surgeon under Sir John Goodsir, being promoted to full Surgeon in 1878.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1874, his main proposer being Sir Robert Christison.

From 1882 to 1909 he performed a critical and hugely influential role as Professor of Surgery at Edinburgh University, replacing Prof James Spence in this role. His candidature received letters of support both from Joseph Lister and Louis Pasteur. Through his teaching many major surgical advances were made which, through his many students, had a major impact around the globe. Through the 1880s his Assistant was Dr Alexander Edington. On his retirement in 1909 the faculty presented him with a bronze medal. His role was filled by Prof Henry Alexis Thomson.

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