Edward Dodding

Edward Dodding (c. 1540 – April 1592) was an English physician who completed the post-mortem examination of Kalicho, one of three Inuit who died soon after they were brought to England by Martin Frobisher in 1577. His post-mortem notes on Kalicho are unusually detailed for their time and provide insights into contemporary medical knowledge and the attitudes of the English towards indigenous people.

Early life Dodding was born around 1540 in the historic county of Westmorland, England. He was educated at Trinity College, University of Cambridge, of which he became a fellow, and was awarded his BA in 1562 or 1563 and his MA in 1566. Kalicho and Arnaq may not have known each other before they were captured by Frobisher and the names used for them in England may not have been their real Inuit names. His large stomach, as a consequence of being liberally fed, was attributed to "misguided kindness". Dodding also noted numerous indications of brain injury and in a departure from normal medical practice, commented on Kalicho's fear of the English which was hidden by his normally "cheerful features". The report, dated 8 November, described by Alden T. Vaughan as "unusually complete", was written in Latin and translated into English three times.

Dodding's notes, which have been corroborated from paintings of the captives and contemporary accounts, provide insights into medical knowledge and practice in the sixteenth century and the attitudes of the English to indigenous people, but his personal attitude to the three captives is unclear. He was well trained and does not appear to have been cruel or callous but after Kalicho died, he expressed regret not at the man's death, but at the loss for the second time of the opportunity for Queen Elizabeth to see the captured people.

Death Dodding was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-West in Fleet Street, London, on 11 April 1592.