More on Dr James
Parkinson
Apart from the famous essay on 'the Shaking
Palsy', Dr James Parkinson wrote important papers
and books on a diverse range of medical subjects, including:
- the effects of lightning
- the distinction between disorders of memory, dysphasia and true
madness
- texts to encourage parish fever wards;
- a report of the first case of appendicitis to be found in
English medical literature which also was the first to recognise
perforation (peritonitis) as the cause of death
- mental illness and reform in the Act regulating mad houses
- gout
- education of medical students and apothecaries.
James Parkinson was involved in many medical
associations, and served as President of the Association of
Apothecaries for two years. At the end of his distinguished medical
career, he became the first recipient of the Honorary Gold Medal of
the Royal College of Surgeons in 1822.
Family and church
James Parkinson married Mary Dale in 1781.
They had six children and his son, John William Keys Parkinson,
also became a doctor and eventually took over the Hoxton
practice.
James Parkinson was also church warden of St.
Leonard's Church in Shoreditch, where he was baptised, married and
buried. Although his grave is no longer identifiable, there is a
memorial to him in the church, erected in 1955 to mark the 200th
anniversary of his birth.
Other achievements and interests
As well as his medical achievements, James
Parkinson had many other interests, including geology, science and
social reform.
Find out more
Dr James Parkinson information
sheet (PDF, 153KB)
A copy of 'An Essay on the Shaking Palsy' can be obtained by
contacting:
Sharward Services
Westerfield Business Centre
Main Road
Westerfield
Ipswich
Suffolk IP6 9AB
United Kingdom
Tel: 01473 212115
Fax: 01473 212114
Email: services@sharward.co.uk
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