James Law (veterinary surgeon)
James Law (13 February 1838 – 1921) was a Scottish veterinary surgeon who became the first veterinary professor at an American university,[1] teaching biology, agriculture and veterinary medicine at Cornell University from 1868.[2]
James Law | |
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| Born | 13 February 1838 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 1921 |
| Known for | The first veterinary professor at an American university |
Early life and education
Law was born in Edinburgh on 13 February 1838.[1] In 1854, at the age of 16, James Law enrolled at the Edinburgh Veterinary College (which later became the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies) and graduated with honours in 1857. He was awarded his diploma from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 1861, and became a member of the RCVS.[1]
Career
Cornell University was founded in 1865, and in 1868 its President, Andrew Dickson White, visited Europe to recruit faculty staff. He had been instructed by Ezra Cornell to find a "horse doctor", and on the recommendation of Edinburgh Veterinary College's Dr. John Gamgee, he met James Law. Dr Law moved to the United States, and started teaching students in October 1868.[3]
Law was elected president of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 1906.[1]
References
- Nolen (16 January 2013). "JAVMA News: LEGENDS: A great teacher of great men". American Veterinary Medical Association. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- Jones, Bruce Vivash (12 January 2013). "Establishing veterinary education in North America". Veterinary Record. 172 (2): 36–38. doi:10.1136/vr.f26. ISSN 2042-7670. PMID 23314431. S2CID 41574985.
- Smith, Donald (Spring 2010). "150th Anniversary of Veterinary Medical Education and the Veterinary Medical Profession in North America". Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. 37 (1): 317–27. doi:10.3138/jvme.37.4.317. PMID 21135397.