James Rae

Edinburgh’s pre-eminence as a medical school reached its height in the 19th century at which time Its reputation for teaching medicine was recognised throughout the world. The origins of this reputation date from the Seal of Cause and the establishment of two Royal Colleges. Much of the credit for the introduction of formal teaching in the 18th century belongs to James Rae, who established systematic clinical teaching of the patients under his care and the first planned course of lectures in surgery. As a result, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh set out to establish a Chair of Surgery in the University with James Rae as the first Professor, but their efforts were frustrated by Munro Secundus who opposed this development, and had the name of his own Chair changed from Anatomy to Anatomy and Surgery.

James Rae was born in Edinburgh in 1716. He became an apprentice surgeon in the Incorporation of Surgeons of Edinburgh, firstly to Robert Hope and then to George Lauder. In the summer of 1747 he was examined for Membership of the Incorporation. The details of his examination are set out in the College minutes. He sat a total of five examinations, roughly one month apart. The topics for his first examination included general questions in surgery and anatomy. He was then examined on the detailed anatomy of the pleura and mediastinum and at the next examination on the contents of the thoracic cavity. A month later he was examined on botany, materia medica and was required to give an explanation of billing and receipts. His final examination was on “the operation of amputation with the proper dressings”.

As a member of the Incorporation he served as Librarian and Treasurer. In 1764 he was elected Deacon and in 1766 was appointed Surgeon in Ordinary to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

It was at this time that he began regular clinical teaching on the patients under his care and gave a lecture course on surgery in Surgeons Hall in High School Yard. This clinical teaching and lecture course was well received and in 1776, just at the time when the Incorporation was becoming a Royal College, the College raised a proposal that a Chair of Surgery be established in the University. However, this proposal was blocked by Monro Secundus who had succeeded his father in the Chair of Anatomy and remained influential. He was able to persuade the Medical Faculty to oppose this suggestion and went on to make a counter proposal that his Chair should be remained the Chair of Anatomy and Surgery, despite the fact that he, himself, was not a surgeon.

Despite this setback James Rae continued with his successful teaching courses and established a large practice. His elder son William Rae, also a member of the Incorporation (roll number 262) established himself in practice in London, and in 1785 began to give lectures on teeth in John Hunter’s house. His younger son John Rae (1749-1808) could be regarded as one of the first Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh ( roll number 264). Under the terms of the 1778 Royal charter the Incorporation became a College and Members became Fellows. Like his father and brother he confined himself largely to dental practice.

James Rae died in 1791 and was buried in Greyfriars Church Yard.