Thomas Addison

About

English doctor, educator, physician, lecturer, medical researcher, and diagnostician who is known as the namesake of Addison's disease. He gained notoriety for practicing at Guys Hospital in London during the 18th century.

Before Fame

In Newcastle, he attended Royal Free Grammar School, then studied at the University of Edinburgh.

Trivia

He had a special interest in studying diseases of the skin. He suffered from depression in his later years. Excelling as a diagnostician and lecturer, Addison was diffident. In the year 1860, he wrote to his medical students as follows: "A considerable breakdown in my health has scared me from the anxieties, responsibilities, and excitement of my profession."

Family Life

He was born and raised in the New Castle area, where his father Joseph worked as a grocer. In the year 1847, he married Elizabeth Catherine Hauxwell.

Associated With

Because of their similarity in names, he can easily be confused with Thomas Edison.