Gaskoin Richard Morden Wright

Gaskoin Richard Morden Wright (18 April 1860 – 10 September 1923) was an English surgeon and missionary who founded the St Luke's Hospital of Nablus while he served with the Church Mission Society (CMS). St. Luke's Hospital remains the only charitable hospital in Nablus, Palestine as of 2022. Wright attended Surrey County School and St. Bartholomew's Teaching Hospital. He also published on the use of turpentine in gallstone disease. He was registered as a surgeon and physician in 1883. In 1890 he was accepted by the CMS working initially in Uganda. Wright was the first member of the Manchester Lay Workers Union to volunteer to work in a foreign country. On 21 April a meeting was held at the C.M.S Manchester Association Hall to bid farewell to Wright and his companions before they left for Africa. Wright left for Africa on 17 May 1891.

Shortly after arriving in Uganda, Wright began working with patients. The daily routine included daily prayer and bible reading and church on Sunday with the Church of England service.

Wright's service in Uganda was marked by significant illness. Wright was sick for several months in Spring 1892. Months later, in August 1892, Wright developed blackwater fever. Following an attack of dysentery, he was ordered by the Imperial British East Africa Company (I.B.E.A) to return to England.

In early 2026, his journal and notes from his time in Mengo are held at the University of Birmingham.

Nablus mission and Founding St. Luke's Hospital In November 1893, Wright was forbidden by the Medical Board to go to Uganda and was instead appointed to Palestine. On 5 January 1984 Wright left London for Constantinople en route to Jaffa with the support of St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Wright reached Nablus, Palestine, the site of his most significant missionary work, on 14 February 1894. After arriving at Nablus, Wright opened a temporary hospital. After people found out that a European doctor opened a hospital nearby, patient volume increased, with Wright and his team treating about 200 to 250 cases each week. Wright also opened a dispensary nearby despite opposition from the local authorities. While a Syrian C.M.S. worker was hit with a rock on the head, nobody was fatally injured. In 1896 Wright requested funding from CMS for a new building, as the hospital frequently flooded.

In 1898 Wright applied for funding for a small hospital again. He was initially denied by the new governor, who reportedly requested a bribe; however, the British Embassy Secretary, Arthur Ponsonby went to Nablus and demanded that Wright's team be able to build a wall to expand their existing hospital. Wright and his wife returned to Nablus on 8 December 1898. This hospital became the only hospital in the region as both the government and military hospitals had closed. the hospital dealt with approximately 400 patients a year. When Lasbrey returned to Old Cairo., Dr Cooper, another C.M.S. missionary, took control of the hospital.

In 1917 Wright retired from missionary service. and remains the only charitable hospital in Nablus. Wright also published a book titled, Value of Turpentine in Gallstone Operants; however, this method never found a place in patient treatment.

Death After his missionary work Wright and his wife returned to London. Wright died on 10 September 1923 in Metheringham, Lincoln, England.