Historical information

This print of Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) was given to the College by Robyn Adams, the daughter of the late obstetrician Gordan Findlay. The portrait was gifted to Dr Findlay when he stated his obstetrical practice in Wellington in 1945. The portrait was then passed to Robyn’s late husband, dermatologist Dr John Adams FRACP FACD, and hung on the wall of his dermatology practice in Wellington until 2014.

Significance

Sir James Young Simpson was a significant figure in the field of obstetrics. Admitted to the University of Edinburgh at the age of fourteen, he was responsible for introducing the use of chloroform for safe analgesia in childbirth, as well as for the development of an ‘air extractor’ (the forerunner to the modern vacuum extractor) and the creation of obstetric forceps with both long and short handles. Significantly, Simpson’s long handled forceps also became the prototype for many subsequent British designs.

Physical description

Charcoal print in an oval shaped wooden frame. Print features a head and shoulders portrait image of a man, pictured slightly side on with his eyes looking to the left of the viewer. The main is wearing a coat, waistcoat, and a shirt buttoned up to the collar, and has dark coloured hair reaching to his shoulders.