John Churchill

John Spriggs Morss Churchill (1801–1875) was an English medical publisher.

Life The third son of the Rev. James Churchill (1770–1820), a dissenting minister, by his wife Mary née Morss (1775–1820), a daughter of George Morss, he was born at Ongar in Essex, 4 August 1801. He was educated at Henley Grammar School.

In 1816 Churchill was bound an apprentice for seven years to Elizabeth Cox & Son, medical booksellers, of 39 High Street, Southwark. Having served his time he became a freeman of the Stationers' Company, and then for about eighteen months was employed in the house of Longman & Co.

A well-known series of manuals followed. The first was Erasmus Wilson's Anatomist's Vade Mecum (1840), which was succeeded by Golding Bird's Manual of Natural Philosophy, and Diagnosis of Urinary Deposits (1844), and by George Fownes's Manual of Chemistry. From 1842 to 1847 Churchill was the publisher of The Lancet, and in 1850 he began the Medical Times, with which the Medical Gazette amalgamated in 1852, to form the prominent Medical Times and Gazette.

Family On 18 Jan 1832 John married Georgiana née Toussaint (1805–1878), the daughter of Joseph Toussaint (1772–1844) a wax chandler, and Mary née Brecknell (1779–1836). Their children were: Mary Churchill (1834–1903) who married Dr Edward Clapton LRCP FRCS (1830–1909) John Churchill (1838–1906) who married Felicia née Cooper (1840–1911) Augustus Churchill (1839–1916) who married Eleanor née Cox (1848–1931) Ellen Churchill (1841–1924) who married Lt-Col George Nicholson Pepper (1833–1901) Frederick Churchill FRCS (1843–1916) who married Frances née Butler (1846–1934), daughter of Charles Salisbury Butler MP Louisa Churchill (1843–1910) who married Lt Col James Peter Robinson CB (1822–1916)