Electrolysis emerged as a chemical breakthrough in 1800 when Anthony Carlisle collaborated with William Nicholson to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen using a voltaic current. This scientific achievement marked a career transition for the Stillington-born practitioner, whose primary professional identity remained rooted in clinical surgery throughout his tenure within the medical institutions of London.
Medical Training and Hospital Practice
Early professional development began with apprenticeships in York and Durham under Anthony Hubback and William Green. Further refinement of his medical knowledge occurred in London under the instruction of John Hunter. In 1793, he secured an appointment as a surgeon at Westminster Hospital, a position he maintained for forty-seven years. His expertise extended into the Royal College of Surgeons, where he served on the council starting in 1815 and held the presidency in both 1828 and 1837.
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Beyond the operating theatre, he engaged with diverse intellectual spheres. He pursued formal studies in art at the Royal Academy. His scientific contributions were formally recognized through his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1804. He delivered the Croonian Lecture in 1804, 1805, and 1807, receiving the Croonian Medal for the inaugural session. His oratorical career included delivering the Hunterian oration twice, though his 1826 address regarding oysters prompted significant controversy.
Royal Service and Literary Speculation
He served as Surgeon Extraordinary to King George IV between 1820 and 1830. His status was further elevated on 24 July 1821 when he received a knighthood. Historical inquiry suggests he may have authored the 1797 gothic novel The Horrors of Oakendale Abbey under the pseudonym Mrs Carver. This attribution relies on the presence of the name Carlisle within the text and the linguistic pun inherent in the surname Carver.
Fast facts
- Born: 1768, Stillington
- Died: 2 November 1840, London
- Education: London (under John Hunter)
- Hospital: Westminster Hospital (1793–1840)
- Knighted: 24 July 1821
- President of the Royal College of Surgeons: 1828 and 1837
- Burial site: Kensal Green Cemetery
- Spouse: Martha Symmons
Questions readers ask
What major scientific discovery is attributed to Anthony Carlisle?
In 1800, he discovered electrolysis by passing a voltaic current through water, successfully decomposing it into oxygen and hydrogen.
Why was he sometimes called Sir Anthony Oyster?
He earned the nickname after using the Hunterian oration in 1826 to lecture on the subject of oysters, which caused consternation among his audience.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Croonian Medal and Lecture — 1804
