William Cullen
Born 15 April 1710 · Died 5 February 1790
From Hamilton, Scotland, United Kingdom · Nationality: Kingdom of Great Britain
William Cullen (b. 15 April 1710 Hamilton, Lanarkshire – d. 5 February 1790 Edinburgh) was a Scottish physician, chemist and agriculturalist, and one of the most important professors at the Edinburgh Medical School, during its heyday as the leading center of medical education in the English-speaking world.
Cullen was also a central figure in the Scottish Enlightenment. He was David Hume’s physician and friend, and on intimate terms with Adam Smith, Lord Kames (with whom he discussed theoretical and practical aspects of husbandry), Joseph Black, John Millar, and Adam Ferguson, among others.
He was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (1773-1775) and First Physician to the King in Scotland (1773-1790).
Cullen was a beloved teacher, and many of his students became influential figures in their own right. His best-known students – many of whom continued to correspond with him during his long life – included (in addition to Joseph Black, who became his colleague) Benjamin Rush, a central figure in the founding of the United States of America; John Morgan, who founded the first medical school in the American colonies (the Medical School at the College of Philadelphia); William Withering, the discoverer of digitalis; Sir Gilbert Blane, medical reformer of the Royal Navy; and John Coakley Lettsom, the philanthropist and founder of the Medical Society of London.
Books by William Cullen in order
Books by William Cullen in the order they were published, from Of the Cold Produced by Evaporating Fluids, and of Some Other Means of Producing Cold (1756) to William Bickford (1931).
- 1Of the Cold Produced by Evaporating Fluids, and of Some OtheOf the Cold Produced by Evaporating Fluids, and of Some Other Means of Producing Cold1756
- 2Institutions of Medicine. Part I. Physiology
Institutions of Medicine. Part I. Physiology1772 - 3First Lines of the Practice of Physic
First Lines of the Practice of Physic1777 - 4First Lines of the Practice of Physic. For the Use of Studen
First Lines of the Practice of Physic. For the Use of Students in the University of Edinburgh1777 - 5Lectures on the Materia Medica
Lectures on the Materia Medica1781 - 6Institutions of Medicine: Part I. Physiology. For the Use of
Institutions of Medicine: Part I. Physiology. For the Use of the Students in the University Of1785 - 7A Treatise of the Materia Medica
A Treatise of the Materia Medica1789 - 8Synopsis and Nosology, Being an Arrangement and Definition oSynopsis and Nosology, Being an Arrangement and Definition of Diseases1793
- 9Clinical Lectures, Delivered in the Years 1765 and 1766
Clinical Lectures, Delivered in the Years 1765 and 17661797 - 10A Methodical System of NosologyA Methodical System of Nosology1808
- 11Nosology, or, A Systematic Arrangement of Diseases, by ClassNosology, or, A Systematic Arrangement of Diseases, by Classes, Orders, Genera, and Species1810
- 12Professor Cullen's Treatise of the Materia MedicaProfessor Cullen's Treatise of the Materia Medica1812
- 13Professor Cullen's Treatise of the Materia Medica. With Larg
Professor Cullen's Treatise of the Materia Medica. With Large Additions, Including Many New Articles, Wholly Omitted in the Original Work1812 - 14A Synopsis of NosologyA Synopsis of Nosology1816
- 15New Edinburgh and London Practice of PhysicNew Edinburgh and London Practice of Physic1817
- 16Synopsis Nosologiae Methodicae, Exhibens Systema Nosologicum
Synopsis Nosologiae Methodicae, Exhibens Systema Nosologicum1818 - 17Nosology, or, Diseases Arranged in Their Classes, Orders, GeNosology, or, Diseases Arranged in Their Classes, Orders, Genera, and Species, Accurately Defined1823
- 18Synopsis Nosologiae Methodicae. To Which Is Added an English
Synopsis Nosologiae Methodicae. To Which Is Added an English Translation with Notes of the Indications and Treatment of the Principle [Sic] Diseases1827 - 19The Works of William Cullen, M.DThe Works of William Cullen, M.D1827
- 20The Works of William Cullen, M.D. Vol. I
The Works of William Cullen, M.D. Vol. I1827 - 21The Works of William Cullen, M.D. Vol. II
The Works of William Cullen, M.D. Vol. II1827 - 22William BickfordWilliam Bickford1931
- 23Doctor Cullen's Practice of PhysicDoctor Cullen's Practice of Physic
- 24LecturesLectures