Robert William Philip

Sir Robert William Philip (29 December 1857 – 25 January 1939) was a Scottish physician and pioneer in the treatment and control of tuberculosis.

Life

Philip was born in Govan on the 29 December 1857, the son of Margaret Josephine Robertson (1822–1908) and Reverend George Philip DD (1819–1904), the minister of the Free Church of Scotland in Govan. In 1866 the family relocated to Edinburgh, living at 48 Blacket Place.

He was thereafter educated at the Royal High School in Edinburgh, going on to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, graduating with a MB CM in 1882 and receiving his doctorate (MD) in 1887. In 1889 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were Sir Thomas Grainger Stewart, Sir William Turner, Robert Flint and David James Hamilton. He served as the Society's Vice President from 1927 to 1930.

He lived for much of his life at 45 Charlotte Square, one of Edinburgh's most exclusive addresses.

During World War I, he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Scottish Second General Hospital in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He died in 1939 and is buried in Grange cemetery in Edinburgh. The grave lies on the main eastern path, not far from the entrance. His wife Edith Josephine McCaw is buried with him. His parents are buried nearby against the north-facing embankment.

Family

In 1888 he married Elizabeth Motherwell, In 1938 he married Edith McGaw. In 1890 he was appointed to the honorary staff of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and progressed to become a full time physician. He lectured at the extramural school, lecturing on diseases of the chest to the Edinburgh College of Medicine for Women as well as lecturing on this topic to the classes at the University of Edinburgh.

His most noteworthy student was Halliday Sutherland who continued his crusade against tuberculosis.

In 1894 he founded the Victoria Hospital for Consumption at Craigleith House, Craigleith Road, Edinburgh as a sanitorium, designed to work in conjunction with the dispensary clinic. Prior to the discovery of medication to treat tuberculosis, his focus was to isolate patients from family and friends and offer sun, fresh air and exercise. In 1927 he was president of the British Medical Association. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1889. He was knighted in the 1913 New Year's Honours list. In 1920 he was elected a member of the Aesculapian Club.

In 1955 his work was recognised on a Belgium Stamp.