William MacCormac

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Sir William MacCormac, 1st Baronet (January 17, 1836-December 4, 1901), Irish surgeon, was born at Belfast, being the son of Dr Henry MacCormac. He studied medicine and surgery at Belfast, Dublin and Paris, and graduated in arts, medicine and surgery at the Queen's University, Belfast. in which he afterwards became an examiner in surgery. He began practice in Belfast, where he became surgeon to the General Hospital, but left it for London on his marriage in 1861 to Miss Katherine M. Charters. In the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 he was surgeon-in-chief to the Anglo-American Ambulance, and was present at Sedan and he also went through the Turco-Servian War of 1876. He became in this way an authority on gun shot wounds and besides being highly successful as a surgeon was a very popular in society, his magnificent physique and Irish temperament making him a notable and attractive personality. in 1881 he was appointed assistant-surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital, London and for twenty year continued his work here as a surgeon, lecturer and consulting surgeon. In 1881 he acted as honorary secretary-general of the International Medical Congress in London and was knighted for his services in 1883 he was elected member of the council of college of surgeons and in 1887 a member of the court of examiners; in 1893 he delivered the Bradshaw lecture and in 1896 was elected president, being reelected to this office in 1897, 1998, 1899, and 1900 ( the centenary year of the college). In 1897 he was created a Baronet, and appointed surgeon in ordinary to the Prince of Wales. In 1899 he was Hunterian Orator.

In the same year he volunteered to go out to South Africa as a consulting surgeon to the forces, and from November 1899 to April 1900 he saw much active service both in Cape Colony and Natal, his assistance being cordial acknowledged on his return, In 1901 he was appointed honorary sergeant -surgeon to the King. But during 1998 he had suffered form prolonged illness and perhaps too much strain on his strength for he died on December 4th , 1901, somewhat suddenly at Bath. Besides treaties on surgical operation antiseptic surgery and numerous contributions to the medical journals, MacCormac was the author of works under the Red Cross and of and interesting volume commemorating the centenary of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1900. The latter contains biographical notices of all the master and presidents up to that date.

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