Richard Quain, FRS
(1800-1887)

The Irish anatomist and surgeon Richard Quain was admitted a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England on 18 January 1828, and in 1834 he was appointed the first assistant-surgeon to University College, or the North London, Hospital. He succeeded, after a stormy progress, to the office of full surgeon and special professor of clinical surgery in 1848, resigned in 1866, and was then appointed consulting surgeon to the hospital and emeritus professor of clinical surgery in its medical school.

He was admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons on 11 December 1843 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 29 February 1844. At the time of his death, he was one of Queen Victoria's surgeons-extraordinary.

On 28 April 1859 he married Ellen, Viscountess Midleton, widow of the 5th Viscount. Their marriage produced no children.

Richard Quain died on 15 September 1887 and was buried at Finchley. According to a short obituary in the Manchester Courier (19 September 1887): 'Mr Richard Quain, FRCS, RFS, Surgeon Extraordinary to the Queen, has died as his residence, 32 Cavendish-square, at the age of 87. He began his career in 1828, and speedily rose to high distinction. He wrote many book on medical subjects, such as "Anatomy of Arteries of the Human Body" and was Honorary Fellow of the Medical and Surgical Society of Edinburgh, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Surgery in University College, consulting surgeon at University College Hospital, and president of the Royal College of Surgeons.'

He left a personal estate valued at £78,886. By the terms of his will, the bulk of this fortune was used 'for the promotion and encouragement, in connection with University College, London, of general education in modern languages (especially the English language and composition in that language) and in natural science.'