THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF WILLIAM SHARPEY (1802–1880) ‘FATHER OF MODERN PHYSIOLOGY’ In Britain

Abstract

THE TITLE-PHRASE was used by E. A. Schifer,1 one of Sharpey's latest and most distinguished pupils, who throughout his life acknowledged his debt to his old teacher and who eventually added the name of Sharpey to his own.2Such a phrase may be historically suspect but it represents an opinion subscribed to by many others, not only his pupils and colleagues.Burdon Sanderson, who succeeded him, wrote: 'If I, or any of the men I have mentioned, were asked to what circumstances the un- questionable productiveness of the University College School in scientific men is due, all would I think unhesitatingly attribute it to the influence of one man, Dr. Sharpey.'3Much later, A. V. Hill said of him: 'by Sharpey's example, other medical schools were encouraged to start proper laboratories and adequate instruction in Physiology . . . to his fine judgement of men and to his power of inspiring them to original work, the present high position of British Physiology is due . ..'.4 The British Medical Journal in its obituary notice, stated that 'for years he was the greatest teacher of anatomy and physiology in the country, occupying a position here equal to that held by Johannes Miiller in Germany.'"In his History of the Physiological Society, Schiifer (by then, Sir Edward Sharpey-Schafer) wrote that during a period when other experimental sciences were rapidly progressing, Physiology in this country could show no names worthy to be mentioned with those of Magendie, Bernard, MUller, Helmholtz or Ludwig....In one place only-University College London-was a lamp kept burnig; the lamp was that of William Sharpey.....He was a great teacher: all his pupils have testified to this....He had a gentle nature, a genial disposition and sound judgment.

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