Robert Liston
| Robert Liston | |
|---|---|
Robert Liston, 1847 portrait by Samuel John Stump
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| Born |
28 October 1794 Ecclesmachan, West Lothian |
| Died | 7 December 1847 (aged 53) London, England |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Fields | Surgery |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh |
Robert Liston (28 October 1794 – 7 December 1847) was a pioneering Scottish surgeon. Liston was noted for his skill in an era prior to anaesthetics, when speed made a difference in terms of pain and survival.
He was the son of the Scottish clergyman and inventor Henry Liston, whose father—Robert Liston—was the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Liston received his education at the University of Edinburgh, became first 'The Great Northern Anatomist' of Blackwell's Magazine, and in 1818 became a surgeon in The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. In 1832/3 he is listed as living at 99 George Street in the centre of Edinburgh's New Town. He lived from 1840 to 1847 at No. 5 Clifford Street, off Bond Street in Mayfair, in a building and indeed area now of some historical significance, hence Richard Gordon's specific mention of this address in his section on Robert Liston.
Liston's legacy comprises both that which has made its way into the popular culture, and that found primarily within the medical fraternity and related disciplines.
Liston's image has been preserved in both bust and portrait form. Following Liston's death, a meeting was held of his friends and admirers, who "unanimously resolved to establish some public and lasting Testimonial to the memory of this distinguished surgeon". A committee of some 78 people was formed, which resolved that the testimonial should consist of a marble statue to be placed in some designated public spot, and the inauguration of a Gold Medal, to be called the "Liston Medal", "and awarded annually, as the Council of University College, may decide".
Richard Gordon describes Liston as "the fastest knife in the West End. He could amputate a leg in 2 1⁄2 minutes". Indeed, he is reputed to have been able to complete operations in a matter of seconds, at a time when speed was essential to reduce pain and improve the odds of survival of a patient; he is said to have been able to perform the removal of a limb in an amputation in 28 seconds.
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