Robert Liston
(1794-1847), SurgeonSitter in 4 portraits
Educated at Edinburgh University and in 1818 became a surgeon in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Over the next ten years, he gained a reputation in Edinburgh as a teacher of anatomy and as an operating surgeon. A skilful surgeon, Liston was renowned for completing operations in a matter of seconds at a time before anaesthetics when speed minimised the pain for the patient and increased the chance of survival. Liston left Edinburgh in 1835 to take up a post as Professor of Clinical Surgery at University College, London. He invented the Liston splint, which is still used today and pioneered several new methods of amputation. In 1846, he was also the first person in Europe to use an anaesthetic during an operation.
by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1843-1847
NPG P6(19)
by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(18)
by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, 1843-1848
NPG P6(91)
by Richard James Lane, after Alfred, Count D'Orsay
lithograph, (2 May 1847)
NPG D46298
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