Charles West (physician)

Charles West (1816–1898) was a British physician, known for his work in pediatrics and his role in founding the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, the first hospital in England to provide in-patient beds specifically for children.

Early Life and Education

Charles West was born on 9 January 1816 in London. He studied at King's College London and later at the University of Bonn in Germany, where he received his medical degree in 1837.

Career

After completing his studies, West returned to London and began working at Middlesex Hospital. He also served as a lecturer at the School of Medicine for Women, where he advocated for the inclusion of women in the medical profession.

In 1852, West founded the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, the first of its kind in England. He served as the hospital's first physician until 1877. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to the field of pediatrics, including the publication of several influential books on children's diseases.

Legacy

West's work in pediatrics and his efforts to improve children's healthcare have had a lasting impact. The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street continues to be a leading institution in pediatric care, and West's writings on children's diseases are still referenced in medical literature today.

References

• The Life of Charles West, by Samuel Wilks, 1898.
• The History of the Hospital for Sick Children, by Ruth Richardson, 1988.

See also

• History of pediatrics
• Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street
• Pediatrics

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  Charles West photographed by G. Jerrard
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  View of "49 Great Ormond Street"
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  Charles West's signature
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  Charles West's memorial tablet, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London