William Marsden (surgeon)

William Marsden (1796%E2%80%931867) by Thomas Henry Illidge

William Marsden (1796 – 16 January 1867) was an English surgeon and philanthropist who founded two major hospitals in London, the Royal Free Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Early Life

William Marsden was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in 1796. He moved to London in 1816 to pursue a career in medicine. Marsden initially worked as an apprentice to a local surgeon before enrolling at St Bartholomew's Hospital to complete his medical training.

Career

Marsden qualified as a surgeon in 1827 and began his practice in London. He was deeply moved by the plight of the poor and the lack of medical care available to them. This led him to establish the Royal Free Hospital in 1828, which was the first hospital in London to provide free medical care to those in need. The hospital was initially located in a house on Greville Street, Hatton Garden, before moving to Gray's Inn Road.

In 1851, Marsden founded the Royal Marsden Hospital, originally known as the Free Cancer Hospital, in response to the need for specialized care for cancer patients. This hospital was the first in the world dedicated to the treatment and research of cancer.

Contributions to Medicine

Marsden's work significantly advanced the accessibility of medical care for the poor and set a precedent for the establishment of other charitable hospitals. His efforts in founding the Royal Marsden Hospital also contributed to the early development of oncology as a specialized field of medicine.

Personal Life

Marsden married Elizabeth Abbott in 1828, and they had several children. He continued to work tirelessly for his hospitals until his death on 16 January 1867.

Legacy

William Marsden's legacy lives on through the institutions he founded. The Royal Free Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital continue to be leading medical institutions in the UK, providing care and conducting research that benefits patients worldwide.

See Also

• Royal Free Hospital
• Royal Marsden Hospital
• Oncology
• St Bartholomew's Hospital