Material relating to Professor James Miller (1812-1864)

The material consists of: letters, 1856 and 1863; and, testimonial in favour of G. H. Pringle, 1852; notes of lectures on surgery by Professor Miller, 1858-1859. There is also material on surgical experience of chloroform, 1848. There is a portrait.

James Miller was born in Essie, Angus, on 2 April 1812. He was taught at home and then he studied at St. Andrews University. His education continued in Dundee before he embarked on a course as a medical student in Edinburgh. In 1832 he became licensed by the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and in 1832 he became a Fellow of the College for which his thesis was entitled Probationary essay on the dressing of wounds (1840). For a few years he was an assistant to a surgeon in the city before his appointment as Professor of Surgery at Edinburgh University in 1842, succeeding Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842). In 1848 Miller was Surgeon-in-Ordinary - in Scotland - to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He also practised as a Physician. Another of his works was entitled A system of surgery (1864). Professor James Miller died on 17 June 1864.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Note that when this record was created any associated photographic/illustrative was unseen.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol.13. Masquerier-Myles. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1909.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.

The UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: letters (275) from Robert Liston, 1834-1845, Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine, see Accessions to repositories 1987.