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Thomas WhartonBritish anatomist
Date of Birth: 31.08.1614
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Medical Career
- Discoveries in Anatomy
- Recognition and Legacy
- Personal Life
- Literary Contributions
- Notable Publications
Early Life and Education
Thomas Wharton, a British physician and anatomist, was born on August 31, 1614, in Winston, County Durham. He was the only son of John Wharton and Elizabeth Hodgson. At the age of 24, Wharton matriculated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He later transferred to Trinity College, Oxford, where he briefly served as a tutor to John Scrope, the son of the Earl of Sunderland.
Medical Career
In 1642, Wharton left Oxford and pursued further education in Bolton for three years. He then settled in London to study medicine under John Bathurst. In 1647, he received his Doctor of Medicine from Oxford and became a candidate of the College of Physicians. He was elected a fellow in 1650.
Discoveries in Anatomy
Wharton's contributions to the field of anatomy were significant. He meticulously described the functions and workings of glands, advancing the understanding of their physiology. His most notable discovery was the identification of the duct of the submandibular salivary gland, which bears his name today.
Recognition and Legacy
Wharton's expertise in medicine and anatomy earned him high regard among his peers and society. He held the position of Physician to St. Thomas's Hospital from 1659 until his death. He was also one of the few London physicians who remained during the Great Plague of 1665.
Personal Life
Wharton married Jane Ashbridge, and they had three sons: Thomas, Charles, and William. Two of his sons, Thomas and George, became physicians. Wharton died on November 15, 1673, and was buried in St. Michael's Church, Basinghall Street.
Literary Contributions
Beyond his medical accomplishments, Wharton also had an interest in literature. He composed four English verses for the frontispiece of Elias Ashmole's "Arcanum, or the Great Secret of Hermetick Philosophy."
