Andrew Fernando Holmes

Andrew Fernando Holmes
Born	(1797-03-17)March 17, 1797 Cadiz, Spain
Died	October 9, 1860(1860-10-09) (aged 63) Montreal, Canada East
Occupation	physician, professor, college administrator, author, and scientist

Andrew Fernando Holmes (March 17, 1797 – October 9, 1860) was a Canadian physician, academic, and one of the founders of the Montreal Medical Institution, the first medical school in Canada.

His family were emigrating to North America when they were captured by pirates and he was born in Cádiz, Spain, the son of Thomas Holmes and Susanna Scott, his family eventually reached British North America in 1801 settling in Montreal. A physician, he received a diploma from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1818 and a Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Edinburgh in 1819. Returning to Canada, he practiced medicine joining the staff of the Montreal General Hospital in 1822. He founded the Montreal Medical Institution, the first medical school in Canada, in 1823 with John Stephenson. After failing to received a royal charter, the Montreal Medical Institution joined McGill College to become the McGill College Medical Faculty. Holmes became a founding member of the faculty. In 1843, he was appointed professor of the principles and practice of medicine and became head of the faculty. In 1854, his title was change to dean.

He died unexpectedly in 1860.

Holmes Gold Medal Award

In his honour the first Holmes Gold Medal was awarded in 1865. It continues to be awarded annually to the McGill University (Montreal) medical school student who achieves the highest academic standing upon graduation.^[1]

References

• "Andrew Fernando Holmes". Dictionary of Canadian Biography (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. 1979–2005.