Robert Christison

Bust of Robert Christison by William Brodie, 1871, Old College, University of Edinburgh

3 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh

Christison grave, New Calton Cemetery

Robert Christison (18 July 1797 – 27 January 1882) was a Scottish toxicologist and physician who made significant contributions to medical jurisprudence and toxicology. He was a pioneering figure in the use of chemical analysis in forensic investigations, and his work in the field of toxicology remains influential.

Early Life and Education

Robert Christison was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Alexander Christison, a professor of humanity at the University of Edinburgh, and his wife. He was educated at the High School of Edinburgh before going on to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated with an MD in 1819. His doctoral thesis was on the subject of kidney stones, a topic that would interest him throughout his career.

Career

After completing his education, Christison became a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, where he taught medical jurisprudence and toxicology. He was appointed to the Regius Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Police Medicine in 1822, and later, in 1832, he became the Professor of Materia Medica. Christison's work was groundbreaking in the use of chemical analysis to detect poisons, a method that was instrumental in solving several high-profile criminal cases of the time.

Christison was also involved in public health issues, advocating for better living conditions and the regulation of dangerous substances. His efforts contributed to the passing of the Pharmacy Act 1868 in the United Kingdom, which regulated the sale of poisons and dangerous drugs.

Contributions to Toxicology

Christison's most notable work in toxicology was his research on the effects of various poisons on the human body. He conducted extensive studies on substances such as arsenic, strychnine, and opium, and his findings were published in his seminal work, "A Treatise on Poisons" (1829), which became a standard reference in the field of toxicology and forensic medicine.

Later Life and Legacy

Robert Christison continued to teach and practice medicine until his retirement in 1877. He was a respected member of several scientific societies, including the Royal Society of Edinburgh, of which he was president from 1873 to 1878. Christison's contributions to medicine, particularly in the fields of toxicology and medical jurisprudence, have had a lasting impact on the practice of forensic science.

Christison passed away in Edinburgh in 1882, leaving behind a legacy as one of the foremost toxicologists of his time. His work paved the way for modern forensic techniques and contributed significantly to the development of medical science.

Selected Works

• A Treatise on Poisons (1829)
• Numerous articles on toxicology and medical jurisprudence

See Also

• Toxicology
• Forensic science
• Medical jurisprudence