Thomas Vicary (c. 1490—1561) was an early English physician, surgeon and anatomist. Vicary was born in

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

, in about 1490. He was described as "but a meane practiser in

Maidstone Maidstone is the largest town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies 32 miles (51 km) east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it wi ...

… that had gained his knowledge by experience, until the King advanced him for curing his sore leg"''Thomas Vicary and the Anatomie of Mans Body'' Duncan P Thomas (Journal of Medical History 2006 April 1; 50(2): 235–246) Henry VIII advanced him to the position of sergeant-surgeon to the Royal Household; and he became a leading surgeon in the

City of London The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and constitutes, alongside Canary Wharf, the primary central business district (CBD) of London. It constituted most of London f ...

becoming the first master of the

Company of Barber-Surgeons The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) is an independent professional body and registered charity that promotes and advances standards of surgical care for patients, and regulates surgery and dentistry in England and Wales. The ...

and again on three further occasions. He played a leading role in the 1540 Act of Union of the two guilds, appearing in Hans Holbein the Younger's painting showing the King handing the charter to Vicary himself. Vicary obtained an annual right to the cadavers of four executed criminals for the Barber-Surgeons, and established the first formal teaching of anatomy at their hall. In 1546, he was appointed the first superintendent of

St Bartholomew's Hospital St Bartholomew's Hospital, commonly known as Barts, is a teaching hospital located in the City of London. It was founded in 1123 and is currently run by Barts Health NHS Trust. History Early history Barts was founded in 1123 by Rahere (die ...

. In 1548, he was appointed resident surgical governor of St Bartholomew's Hospital, a post he held until his death. On Henry's death he continued to serve the Tudor monarchs as physician. One of the earliest works in anatomy was attributed to him, ''The anatomy of mans body''; but it appears he republished and edited an earlier work of the Middle Ages. The

Royal College of Surgeons The Royal College of Surgeons is an ancient college (a form of corporation) established in England to regulate the activity of surgeons. Derivative organisations survive in many present and former members of the Commonwealth. These organisations a ...

maintains an annual lecture in his honour.

Works

*''The Englisheman's Treasure'' (1586)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vicary, Thomas 1490 births 1561 deaths English surgeons English anatomists People from Maidstone 16th-century English medical doctors

Works

See also

References