Skeletal loadbearing fibres that anchor bone to tendon carry the name of William Sharpey, reflecting his 1846 discovery. As a prominent anatomist and physiologist from Arbroath, he transitioned from studying humanities to becoming a central figure in British experimental biology, significantly influencing the evolution of medical education through his tenure at University College London.
Early Education and European Training
Born in 1802, Sharpey began his academic journey at the University of Edinburgh in 1817. After obtaining his medical degree in 1823 with a thesis on stomach cancer, he sought broader clinical experience across Europe. His travels included study in Paris under Guillaume Dupuytren and Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, followed by extensive tours through Switzerland, Italy, and Germany. He worked with researchers such as Bartolomeo Panizza in Padua, Karl Rudolphi in Berlin, and Friedrich Tiedemann in Heidelberg.
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Sharpey settled in Edinburgh in 1829, eventually collaborating with Allen Thomson to lecture on systematic anatomy. In 1836, he accepted the chair of anatomy and physiology at the University of London. For 38 years, he delivered comprehensive lectures on physiology and minute anatomy, shaping the medical training of students such as Michael Foster and Burdon Sanderson. During his long career, he contributed extensively to Quain's Anatomy and various scientific journals regarding topics such as ciliary motion.
Professional Appointments and Retirement
Beyond his teaching, Sharpey held significant administrative roles. He served as a Fellow of the Royal Society, becoming one of its secretaries in 1853. He was also a member of the general council of medical education and registration for 15 years starting in 1861. Following failing eyesight, he retired from his university professorship in 1874 and was awarded a Civil Service pension. He died in London in 1880 at the age of 78.
Fast facts
- Born: 1802, Arbroath, United Kingdom
- Died: 1880, London, United Kingdom
- Education: University of Edinburgh
- Employer: University College London
- Award: Baly Medal (1873)
- Membership: Royal Society, Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Discovery: Sharpey's fibres (1846)
- Medical Focus: Anatomy and physiology
Questions readers ask
What scientific discovery is he most known for?
He identified the skeletal loadbearing fibres that anchor bone to tendon in 1846, which are now called Sharpey's fibres.
Where did he spend his final years?
He lived at 50 Torrington Square, London, and passed away there on 11 April 1880.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Baly Medal — 1873
- Held posts at University College London
- Fields: anatomy and physiology
