John Langdon Down

John Langdon Down (18 November 1828 – 7 October 1896) was a British physician best known for his description of a condition now known as Down syndrome, which he originally classified in 1862.

Early life and education

John Langdon Down was born in Torpoint, Cornwall in 1828. His father was a merchant. He was the third of six children in his family. He attended local schools and later the Devonport Classical and Mathematical School. His original career choice was to enter the church, but at the age of 18, he decided to study medicine.

Career

In 1858, Down was appointed medical superintendent of the Earlswood Asylum for Idiots in Redhill, Surrey, where he worked for ten years. During this time, he undertook research into the condition that would later be named after him. He published his observations in a series of lectures and papers, the most famous of which was "Observations on an Ethnic Classification of Idiots" (1866).

In 1868, Down left Earlswood to establish his own private home for the mentally disabled, which he called Normansfield. He ran this institution with his wife, Mary, until his death in 1896.

Down syndrome

Down is best known for his description of the condition that is now known as Down syndrome, which he originally classified in 1862. He was the first person to categorise the condition as a distinct form of mental disability. His work in this area was groundbreaking and has had a lasting impact on the field of medicine.

Legacy

Down's work has had a significant impact on the field of medicine and the understanding of mental disabilities. His description of Down syndrome has led to improved treatment and understanding of the condition. His work at Normansfield also set a precedent for the care and treatment of those with mental disabilities.

See also

• Down syndrome
• History of medicine
• Mental disability

External links

• Langdon Down Museum

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  Portrait of John Langdon Down (c. 1870) by Sydney Hodges