Alexander Gunn (doctor)
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox scientist
| name =Alexander Gunn
| image =Dr Alexander Gunn.jpg
| birth_date =1845
| birth_place = Lybster, Caithness, Scotland
| death_date = 28 March 1914
| death_place = Edinburgh, Scotland
| field = Medicine
| work_institutions = Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Private Practice
medical officer to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers
| alma_mater = St Andrews University
Royal College of Surgeons
Edinburgh University
| doctoral_advisor =
| doctoral_students =
| known_for = Surgical sterile techniques
}}
Alexander Gunn (1845–1914) was a Scottish physician. Through his early association with Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, he was one of the first doctors to champion the use antiseptic surgery.
Early life
Professional career
After his early training as a chemist he was appointed senior apothecary and dispenser to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He spent ten years in this post during which time he attended classes at Edinburgh University and the Royal College of Surgeons with a view to gaining medical qualifications. In 1877, aged 33, he took the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (LRCP) and the S. Edin diploma and nine years later in 1886 he graduated with his Doctorate of Medicine from St. Andrews University.
He then entered private practice and acted as medical officer to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.
He first became involved with Joseph Lister's work and discoveries in the development of the antiseptic system in surgery, while they both worked at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He subsequently championed and used the new principles of antiseptic medicine. His reputation in this field was subsequently recognised in his obituary in the British Medical Journal or BMJ{{Cite journal|date=1914-04-11|title=Dr. Alexander Gunn|url=http://www.bmj.com/cgi/doi/10.1136/bmj.1.2780.841-a|journal=BMJ|language=en|volume=1|issue=2780|pages=841|doi=10.1136/bmj.1.2780.841-a|s2cid=220034805|issn=0959-8138}}
Private life
He married Jean Baikie (1853 -1913) and they ultimately settled in 44 George Square, Edinburgh on what is now the site of the 1967 Basil Spence Edinburgh University Library. They had two sons and three daughters (George, Bertie, Christina, Jean and Meta).1901 Census (Ref 1901 685/04 046/00 012) Edinburgh St. Giles Parish1911 Census (Ref 1901 685/04 046/00 007) Edinburgh St. Giles Parish According to the 1905 valuation role Dr Gunn built up a considerable property portfolio including a tenement block and a number of houses,1905 City of Edinburgh Valuation role Ref VR100/237/77 however at the time of his death the family were left without means. Their daughter, Jean (1887-1975), had to have her fare paid to India so that she could marry her childhood friend Andrew Geddis.
Gunn died of cancer and is buried in the Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh.
References
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Category:19th-century English medical doctors
Category:Alumni of the University of Edinburgh