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William Henry Cutts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Henry Cutts
President of British Medical Association
In office
1880–1881
Personal details
Born25 December 1828
Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England
Died3 July 1897 (aged 69)
London, Middlesex, England
Alma materWesley College, Sheffield
OccupationGeneral practitioner

William Henry Cutts (25 December 1828 – 3 July 1897) was an Australian physician, general practitioner and gold broker.[1]

Early life and background

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Cutts was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England on 1828. He was the youngest son of John Cutts. He received his education at Wesley College in Sheffield. From 1844 to 1849, he served as an apprentice to Thomas Jones, an apothecary and surgeon in Chesterfield. Following this, he pursued his medical studies at Edinburgh, earning his M.D. degree in 1851. In the same year, he became a licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries of London. Additionally, he spent a brief period studying in Paris, where he developed a deep admiration for the renowned French surgeon, Auguste Nélaton (1807–1873).[2][3]

Life

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Cutts arrived in Melbourne aboard the Kent in September 1852. He initially ventured to the Ovens goldfield and later made his way to Bendigo. In addition to practicing medicine, he also engaged in the profitable occupation of buying gold for the banks. However, Cutts found the demanding lifestyle to be unfavorable and decided to return to Melbourne in 1853. He successfully established his medical practice in the west end of the city and continued to serve his patients until his retirement. Known for his kindness, tolerance, and friendly demeanor, Cutts earned the trust of his patients and maintained positive relationships with his colleagues, despite the prevalent jealousies and quarrels within the profession. Over time, he became increasingly involved in the medical community. In 1858, when the staff of the Melbourne Hospital expanded, Cutts was elected as an honorary physician, a role he held for seventeen years. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Medical Society of Victoria, joining its committee in 1859 and eventually becoming its president in 1866. Additionally, he contributed to the founding of the Victorian Medical Benevolent Association in 1865, where he served as both treasurer and president. Cutts was a strong advocate for the Australian Medical Gazette and frequently contributed to its publication. In 1879, he played a key role in establishing the Victorian branch of the British Medical Association and served as its president in 1880–81.[4][5]

Personal life

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Cutts wedded Jane Thorpe in 1857 and together they raised a sizable family. Following her passing, he entered into matrimony with Isabella Rathie in 1895. Isabella, who had received her training at the esteemed Royal Edinburgh Infirmary, served as a sister in Hobart before assuming the role of matron at the Melbourne Hospital in January 1890. During her tenure, she successfully implemented a structured nurse training program.[6]

Death

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Cutts died on 3 July 1897.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Snyder, Howard A. (2014-01-01). "The Story of the Wesleyan Church". Wesley and Methodist Studies. 6: 206–208. doi:10.5325/weslmethstud.6.2014.0206. ISSN 2291-1723.
  2. ^ "William Henry Cutts, M.D.Edin., M.R.C.S.Eng". BMJ. 2 (1909): 320. 1897-07-31. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.1909.320-a. ISSN 0959-8138. S2CID 220177958.
  3. ^ School of Historical Studies, Department of History. "Cutts, William Henry - Biographical entry - eMelbourne - The Encyclopedia of Melbourne Online". www.emelbourne.net.au. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  4. ^ "William Henry Cutts, M.D.Edin., M.R.C.S.Eng". BMJ. 2 (1909): 320. 1897-07-31. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.1909.320-a. ISSN 0959-8138. S2CID 220177958.
  5. ^ "William Henry Cutts". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  6. ^ "Fink, Hon. Theodore, (3 July 1855–23 April 1942), Australian lawyer, publicist, writer, and politician; Chairman of Directors of the Melbourne Herald and Weekly Times Newspapers Company, Ltd, and other companies", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2007-12-01, doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u225385, retrieved 2024-02-16
  7. ^ "Author: "Cutts, William Henry" - Catalogue | National Library of Australia Search Results". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
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