Family of Scottish physicians.
Three generations of the family made the University of Edinburgh an international centre of medical teaching, holding the chair of anatomy for 126 years (1720–1846) without interruption. Alexander primus (b. Sept. 8, 1697, London, Eng.
d. July 10, 1767, Edinburgh, Scot.) lectured in anatomy and surgery; his anatomical preparations were outstanding, and, though not a surgeon, he advanced many new ideas for instruments and dressings. His son Alexander secundus (b. May 22, 1733, Edinburgh
d. Oct. 2, 1817, Edinburgh) began lecturing in his second year of medical study; of the three, he is judged the greatest teacher and anatomist, and his research also covered pathology and physiology. Alexander tertius (b. Nov. 5, 1773, Edinburgh
d. March 10, 1859, Craiglockheart, near Edinburgh) relied largely on the notes handed down to him.