Leech's file comprises two biographical files, a file on vivisection, a photograph album, and a file on the Harvey Tercentenary.
- Reference
- GB 133 MMC/2/LeechE
- Physical Description
- 1 file comprising 4 folders, 1 photograph album and 1 book.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
BA Camb 1897, MB BCh 1903, MD 1907; DPH Manch 1905; MRCS 1901; FRCP 1919; MA Hon Manch 1937.
Ernest Bosdin Leech laid the foundations of the Manchester Medical Collection. Although his medical career was not exceptional, his contributions to the history of medicine in Manchester were considerable. The nephew of Daniel John Leech and the son of Sir Bosdin Thomas Leech, Mayor of Manchester, Ernest Bosdin Leech, known as Bosdin, was born at Stretford near Manchester on 9 April 1875. He was educated at Christ's College Cambridge and the University of Manchester. After qualifying, Leech held resident appointments at MRI; he gave valuable service in the moving of MRI from Piccadilly to Oxford Road, and also founded the MRI Old Residents Club. Leech served the hospital for over thirty years, he was appointed honorary assistant physician in 1913, later became consulting physician before retiring in 1935. He was also on the honorary staff of Ancoats Hospital Manchester and Christie Hospital Manchester. Leech served in the RAMC in France, Mesopotamia, Southern India and Belgium.
Like his uncle, Leech had great enthusiasm and talent for teaching. He was lecturer in pharmacology and therapeutics at the University of Manchester, and was particularly interested in digestive diseases. Leech was president of the MMS in 1934; this was the centenary year of the Society and so a great honour. Leech was closely involved in the celebrations and gave his presidential address on Manchester medical history. Leech was very interested in MMS and its library. His extensive collection of material relating to Manchester medicine and doctors was donated to the University Medical Library at the centenary meeting of MMS (1934), and now forms the basis of the Manchester Medical Collection. Leech was an enthusiastic local historian, he was a member of the Lancashire Parish Register Society and president of the Manchester Ancient Monuments Society. Leech died at his home in Manchester on 19 September 1950.