Thomas Willis

Thomas Willis (27 January 1621 – 11 November 1675) was an English doctor who played an important role in the history of anatomy, neurology and psychiatry. He was a founding member of the Royal Society.

Early life and education

Willis was born in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, England. He attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1642 and a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1646.

Career

Willis began his medical career as a physician in Oxford. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society, and he was a pioneer in research into the brain and the nervous system. His most famous work, Cerebri Anatome (Anatomy of the Brain), was published in 1664 and is considered a landmark in the history of neurology.

Legacy

Willis's work has had a lasting impact on the field of medicine. He is known for his detailed descriptions of the brain and the nervous system, and he is credited with coining the term "neurology." The Circle of Willis, a part of the brain that he was the first to describe, is named after him.

See also

• History of neurology
• History of psychiatry

External links

• Britannica Biography: Thomas Willis

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