FRCP 1869; MB Lond 1856, MD Lond; LLD (hon) Edin.
Maudsley was born near Settle in Yorkshire on 5 February 1835. He was educated at Giggleswick School then privately at Oundle. Maudsley studied medicine at University College London, winning ten gold medals and taking a great interest in sports. He was house surgeon at University College Hospital in 1856. Maudsley decided on a career in the Indian Medical Service, and undertook appointments in asylums to gain the necessary experience. As a result of this experience, Maudsley decided to devote himself to mental disorder. In 1859 he was appointed medical superintendent to Manchester Royal Lunatic Hospital. He held this appointment until 1862 when he resigned to pursue a career in London. Maudsley was editor of Mental Science. He was physician to West London Hospital and in 1869 was elected professor of medical jurisprudence at University College. Maudsley was an important figure in contemporary psychiatry. He believed that mental diseases were due to diseases of the brain and that it was more important to study the physical changes than the mental symptoms. Maudsley saw that early treatment was necessary, and to this end offered a large sum to London County Council to build a psychiatric hospital. Maudsley Hospital, which was named after him, was the result of this effort, but Maudsley died before it could be opened. Maudsley died on 23 January 1918.