James Paget

James Paget - Founder of Scientific Medical Pathology, Family and Facts

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James Paget's Personal Details

Sir James Paget was a famous British surgeon and physiologist considered as one of the founders of modern pathology

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 11, 1814
Died onDecember 30, 1899
NationalityBritish
FamousPhysicians, Surgeons, Founder of Scientific Medical Pathology
SpousesLydia
SiblingsGeorge Paget
Known asSir James Paget, 1st Baronet
Universities
  • St Bartholomew's Hospital
Discoveries / Inventions
  • Paget's Disease
Birth PlaceGreat Yarmouth, England
GenderMale
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inGreat Yarmouth, England
Famous asFounder of scientific medical pathology.
Died at Age85

James Paget's photo

Who is James Paget?

Sir James Paget was a famous British surgeon and physiologist considered as one of the founders of modern pathology. He is best remembered for describing two conditions named for him: Paget's disease of the nipple, a precancerous disorder, and Paget's disease of the bone, osteodystrophia deformans. Paget’s Abscess is also named after him, a type of pus formation in the tissue of the body. He was one of the many children born to his parents. In his teenage years, he was desperate to join the Navy but later on decided to become a surgeon. He had to wait for several years before being suitably rewarded for his hard work and significant breakthroughs in the field of medical science. He was a gifted orator with a sympathetic personality and was regarded as the finest lecturer in his field. In spite of his busy career, he was someone who knew how to enjoy life. Blessed with a great sense of humor, he loved to laugh and have fun too. Along with medical research he was also interested in criminal matters. A brilliant surgeon, he was also an awesome human being whose life and works continue to inspire the future generations.

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Childhood & Early Life

James Paget was born on 11 January, 1814 in Great Yarmouth, England to Sarah Paget, a talented artist and Samuel Paget, a brewer and ship-owner. He had 16 siblings, of whom only eight made it to adulthood.

He went to a local school where he studied mathematics and the classics such as Latin and Greek. His mother was well educated and a skilled writer, which proved quite helpful in his growth.

At the age of 15, he became envious of the attention paid to naval officers and decided to pursue it as a career, which he later described as a “silly wish”.

In 1830, he decided to become a surgeon and became an apprentice of Dr. Charles Costerton, a local surgeon and apothecary in Great Yarmouth. He practiced for four and a half years with him, acquiring knowledge about anatomy and botany.

After his apprenticeship he entered St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London for a two year study. He earned his reputation as a keen observer with accurate descriptions and also discovered the pathogen of Trichinosis, a parasitic disease.

In 1836, with very little guidance from the medical professors, he passed his examination at the Royal College of Surgeons, and became qualified to practice..

Career

The period from 1836 to 1843 was a difficult one for him. Even though he topped his examinations, he had to struggle for seven years, working as a curator at the College of Surgeons Anatomy Museums.

In 1843, he was appointed as a lecturer of anatomy and physiology at the Finsbury Dispensary, where he also worked as a surgeon for some years. During this period, he was also appointed as a professor at Royal College of Surgeons, where he gave six lectures in surgical pathology.

In 1851, he was elected a fellow of Royal Society. He had become a famous pathologist and physiologist. But, the real turning point in his life came in 1858, when he was appointed as surgeon extraordinary to Queen Victoria and a few years later, surgeon ordinary to Prince of Wales.

In 1871, he resigned as a surgeon due to illness, but continued his private practice. In 1875, he was elected as the President of Royal Society.

In 1877, he published a paper on a bone disease, osteitis deformans. It is regarded as a significant achievement in medical history.

Major Works

In 1834, as a student at St. Bartholomew's, he noted some white specks in the muscle of a cadaver he was dissecting. Upon observing them under microscope, he identified them as worms, Trichina spiralis, ingested through the eating of unhealthy pork. He played a major role in improving the nation’s health through this discovery.

In 1877, he described osteitis deformans, a chronic bone disease which causes progressive bone deformity over the years. It was a remarkable feat of observation at the time, considering the fact it was diagnosed before the invention of X-rays.

He also discovered Paget’s disease of the nipple and Paget’s abscess. He was the first to urge removal of the tumor instead of amputation of the limb in cases of myeloid sarcoma.

His famous works include ‘Lectures on Tumors’ (1851) and ‘Lectures on Surgical Pathology’ (1853). In 1888, he opened a hospital in London.

Awards & Achievements

In 1858, he was appointed as the surgeon extraordinary to Queen Victoria.

In 1863, he was appointed as the surgeon ordinary to Prince of Wales.

In 1875, he was elected as the President of Royal College of Surgeons of England.

In 1877, Queen Victoria conferred on him a baronetcy, which he accepted with pride.

In 1887, he was elected as the President of the Pathological Society of London.

Personal Life & Legacy

He became engaged to Lydia North, daughter of Rev. Henry North, despite the opposition of his family who described him as irresponsible and disloyal. After seven long years he married her in 1844.

They had a happy family blessed with six children, most of whom made their own mark in history with their significant achievements.

After he stopped operating at the age of 64, he saw very few patients and devoted most of his time to writing. Much of his time was spent improving medical teaching and examination, and encouraging public speaking.

He died on 30 December, 1899 in London, just before the beginning of the 20th century.

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James Paget biography timelines

  • // 11th Jan 1814
    James Paget was born on 11 January, 1814 in Great Yarmouth, England to Sarah Paget, a talented artist and Samuel Paget, a brewer and ship-owner. He had 16 siblings, of whom only eight made it to adulthood.
  • // 1830
    In 1830, he decided to become a surgeon and became an apprentice of Dr. Charles Costerton, a local surgeon and apothecary in Great Yarmouth. He practiced for four and a half years with him, acquiring knowledge about anatomy and botany.
  • // 1834
    In 1834, as a student at St. Bartholomew's, he noted some white specks in the muscle of a cadaver he was dissecting. Upon observing them under microscope, he identified them as worms, Trichina spiralis, ingested through the eating of unhealthy pork. He played a major role in improving the nation’s health through this discovery.
  • // 1836
    In 1836, with very little guidance from the medical professors, he passed his examination at the Royal College of Surgeons, and became qualified to practice..
  • // 1836 To 1843
    The period from 1836 to 1843 was a difficult one for him. Even though he topped his examinations, he had to struggle for seven years, working as a curator at the College of Surgeons Anatomy Museums.
  • // 1843
    In 1843, he was appointed as a lecturer of anatomy and physiology at the Finsbury Dispensary, where he also worked as a surgeon for some years. During this period, he was also appointed as a professor at Royal College of Surgeons, where he gave six lectures in surgical pathology.
  • // 1844
    He became engaged to Lydia North, daughter of Rev. Henry North, despite the opposition of his family who described him as irresponsible and disloyal. After seven long years he married her in 1844.
  • // 1851
    In 1851, he was elected a fellow of Royal Society. He had become a famous pathologist and physiologist. But, the real turning point in his life came in 1858, when he was appointed as surgeon extraordinary to Queen Victoria and a few years later, surgeon ordinary to Prince of Wales.
  • // 1858
    In 1858, he was appointed as the surgeon extraordinary to Queen Victoria.
  • // 1863
    In 1863, he was appointed as the surgeon ordinary to Prince of Wales.
  • // 1871
    In 1871, he resigned as a surgeon due to illness, but continued his private practice. In 1875, he was elected as the President of Royal Society.
  • // 1875
    In 1875, he was elected as the President of Royal College of Surgeons of England.
  • // 1877
    In 1877, he published a paper on a bone disease, osteitis deformans. It is regarded as a significant achievement in medical history.
  • // 1877
    In 1877, he described osteitis deformans, a chronic bone disease which causes progressive bone deformity over the years. It was a remarkable feat of observation at the time, considering the fact it was diagnosed before the invention of X-rays.
  • // 1877
    In 1877, Queen Victoria conferred on him a baronetcy, which he accepted with pride.
  • // 1887
    In 1887, he was elected as the President of the Pathological Society of London.
  • // 30th Dec 1899
    He died on 30 December, 1899 in London, just before the beginning of the 20th century.

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James Paget's FAQ

  • What is James Paget birthday?

    James Paget was born at 1814-01-11

  • When was James Paget died?

    James Paget was died at 1899-12-30

  • Where was James Paget died?

    James Paget was died in London

  • Which age was James Paget died?

    James Paget was died at age 85

  • Where is James Paget's birth place?

    James Paget was born in Great Yarmouth, England

  • What is James Paget nationalities?

    James Paget's nationalities is British

  • Who is James Paget spouses?

    James Paget's spouses is Lydia

  • Who is James Paget siblings?

    James Paget's siblings is George Paget

  • What was James Paget universities?

    James Paget studied at St Bartholomew's Hospital

  • What is James Paget's inventions/discoveries?

    Paget's Disease was invented (or discovered) by James Paget

  • What is James Paget's sun sign?

    James Paget is Capricorn

  • How famous is James Paget?

    James Paget is famouse as Founder of scientific medical pathology.