The first human organ removal performed specifically for transplantation into another person was conducted by J. Hartwell Harrison in 1954. This procedure served as the foundation for the world’s first successful kidney transplant, executed between identical twins Ronald and Richard Herrick at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, effectively launching the era of organ replacement therapy.
Formative Years and Medical Training
Born in 1909 in Clarksville, Virginia, Harrison was the son of I. Carrington Harrison and Rosalie Smith. He grew up in Danville and completed his secondary education at George Washington High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1929 and his MD in 1932 from the University of Virginia. Following an internship in internal medicine at Lakeside Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, he undertook surgical training at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, joining the staff in 1939 and assuming leadership of the Division of Urology in 1941.
Military Service and Academic Career
During World War II, Harrison served in the United States Army Medical Corps, operating within the Pacific Theater of Operations. Following the war, he returned to academic medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he served as the Elliott Carr Cutler Professor of Surgery starting in 1965. His pedagogical contributions included editing the three-volume reference text Campbell's Urology. Throughout his career, he published more than 140 articles and monographs regarding urological and general surgical practices.
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The successful kidney transplant operation placed an intense ethical burden on Harrison, who served as the surgeon for the donor, Ronald Herrick. This marked the first time a healthy patient underwent major surgery for the benefit of another person. The process involved extensive consultation regarding ethical implications before the procedure on December 23, 1954. Following the donor's nephrectomy, Harrison assisted in the transplant recipient's operation, which resulted in the immediate functional recovery of the transplanted organ.
Professional Distinctions
Harrison held various leadership roles, including President of the Boston Surgical Society and Vice President of the American Surgical Association. He also served as a trustee for the American Board of Urology and a member of the Board of Visitors at the University of Virginia. His contributions were recognized through the 1961 Amory Prize and the 1983 Keyes Medal, among other international honors including the Purkinje Medal and an honorary fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Fast facts
- Born: 1909, Clarksville, Virginia
- Died: 1984, Boston, Massachusetts
- Education: University of Virginia, MD 1932
- Key Role: Surgeon for first successful kidney transplant
- Military Service: US Army Medical Corps, Pacific Theater
- Notable Publication: Campbell's Urology
- Keyes Medal Recipient: 1983
- Amory Prize Recipient: 1961
Questions readers ask
What was Harrison's specific role in the first kidney transplant?
He performed the removal of the donor kidney and assisted in the recipient's operation.
What major medical text did Harrison edit?
He served as the editor of the three-volume reference work titled Campbell's Urology.
Did Harrison serve in the military?
Yes, he was a member of the United States Army Medical Corps during World War II, stationed in the Pacific Theater.
Achievements
- Amory Prize — 1961
- Keyes Medal — 1983
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