FERGUSON, ROBERT

1821 - 1864

Admin history: Robert Ferguson (1799-1865) was born in India on 15 November 1799, the son of Robert Ferguson of the Indian Civil Service, grand-nephew of the historian Adam Ferguson. He studied for a time in Heidelberg, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of German literature, before entering the University of Edinburgh to study medicine. During his time at Edinburgh he became friends with the novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, and Scott's son-in-law John Gibson Lockhart, novelist and biographer. Ferguson graduated MD in 1823. In 1824 he became a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, and began to practice midwifery in London. He became great friends with the eminent physician Robert Gooch, and obtained his patronage, succeeding to a large portion of Gooch's practice. In 1827 he was active in founding the 'London Medical Gazette', an opportunity for conservative opinion in medical politics and academic views in medical science to be expressed. He was also a frequent contributor to the 'Quarterly Review'. Ferguson anonymously authored a 'History of Insects' for 'Murray's Family Library' (1829-47). With the support of Gooch he continued to specialise in obstetric practice, was appointed physician to the Westminster Lying-in Hospital, and became professor of obstetrics at King's College, when the medical department was opened in 1831. Ferguson became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1837. In 1840 he was appointed physician-accoucheur to Queen Victoria, during which appointment he attended the births of all her children. In 1844 and 1845 he was censor at the College, and between 1857 and 1859 a member of the council. From 1857 he gradually withdrew from his extensive obstetric practice and became a general medical practitioner. He resigned his appointment as physician-accoucheur to the Queen, and was made her physician extraordinary. Ferguson died at his country cottage at Winkfield, Berkshire, on 25 June 1865, at the age of 65. Ferguson’s wife, Cecilia, was the daughter of Joseph Julian and Elizabeth Labalmondiere, who owned a plantation in British Guiana. It is unclear if Cecilia (and through her, her husband) benefitted financially from this. Sources: 'Dictionary of National Biography', Vol. XVIII, Leslie Stephen (ed.) (London, 1889) [DNB, 1889, pp.353-54] 'The Roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Vol. III, 1801-1825', William Munk (London, 1878) [Munk's Roll Vol.III pp.295-8] 'The Medical Times and Gazette', Vol. II, 1865 (London, 1865) [Medical Times, 1865, pp.13-15] https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/8036 Accessed September 2021 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146650001 Accessed September 2021‎