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

Kent Kent is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Essex across the Thames Estuary to the north, the Strait of Dover to the south-east, East Sussex to the south-west, Surrey to the west, and Gr ...

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

Maidstone Maidstone is the largest Town status in the United Kingdom, town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, l ...

… 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 Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...

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, also known as ''the City'', is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and Districts of England, local government district with City status in the United Kingdom, city status in England. It is the Old town, his ...

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 Hans Holbein the Younger ( , ; ; – between 7 October and 29 November 1543) was a German-Swiss painter and printmaker who worked in a Northern Renaissance style, and is considered one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century. He ...

'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 by Rahere, and is currently run by Barts Health NHS Trust. History Early history Barts was founded in 1123 by ...

. 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 ...

maintains an annual lecture in his honour.

Works

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

References

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

Works

See also

References