HF01-04: Sir Thomas Browne, Sir William Osler, Earl F. Nation, and Racism.
Friday, May 3, 2024 2:11 PM to 2:18 PM · 7 min. (US/Central)
206
Abstract
History of Urology Forum
Information
Full Abstract and Figures
Author Block
Michael E Moran*, Columbia, SC
Introduction
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682) is little regarded today except by Oslerians and fans of early English literature. Sir William Osler became acquainted with Browne early in his professional life and carried a copy of Browne’s Religio Medici with him at almost all times. Osler was so taken by Browne’s writings that he assiduously collected almost all editions of Browne’s written works. We are interested in Browne’s essay Of the Blackness of Negroes and Osler’s own perceived racisms and their modern attributions, the “presentism” displayed by finding fault with deceased physicians, including two huge fans of Browne, Sir William Osler and Earl F. Nation (73rd AUA President, 1978).
Methods
A review of all aspects of Thoms Browne’s writings and Osler’s fixations upon collecting every known edition were pursued. The Osler Library at McGill University was most helpful to this quest. Browne’s quixotic 1646 Pseudodoxia Epidemica was the source of his 10th chapter Of the Blackness of Negroes. There have been several recent attempts to portray William Osler as a racist in the past 10 years and these too were pursued. We also followed Osler’s interests in everything Browne, which prompted Earl F. Nation’s personal interests as well.
Results
The Pseudodoxia is thought to have been written in response to Francis Bacon’s The Advancement of Learning of 1605. In this rather amazing treatise of Browne’s, he looks into the color of African’s pigmentation by all known writers up to his time. During his amazing discussion he chances upon Lamarkian evolution over 100 years prior to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, 200 years prior Darwin’s 1859 On the Origin of Species, and anticipated Gregor Mendel’s 1865 inheritance (birth of genetics). Browne has never been tarred and feathered for fostering racism, but his major 20th century populist physician advocate Sir William Osler (1849-1919) for sure has, beginning in his own country, Canada.
Conclusions
Browne has managed to escape recidivism on his historical piece on dark skin pigmentation and races. Osler has not fared nearly as well, though far more idolized and memorialized than Browne. One might be surprised that the attack on Osler originated from his home region of Toronto, Canada. Earl F. Nation (1910-2008) was former AUA President and a founding member of the American Osler Society would have cautiously disagreed. There is a lesson here for historical urologists, racism is a slippery slope.
Source Of Funding
None
Author Block
Michael E Moran*, Columbia, SC
Introduction
Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682) is little regarded today except by Oslerians and fans of early English literature. Sir William Osler became acquainted with Browne early in his professional life and carried a copy of Browne’s Religio Medici with him at almost all times. Osler was so taken by Browne’s writings that he assiduously collected almost all editions of Browne’s written works. We are interested in Browne’s essay Of the Blackness of Negroes and Osler’s own perceived racisms and their modern attributions, the “presentism” displayed by finding fault with deceased physicians, including two huge fans of Browne, Sir William Osler and Earl F. Nation (73rd AUA President, 1978).
Methods
A review of all aspects of Thoms Browne’s writings and Osler’s fixations upon collecting every known edition were pursued. The Osler Library at McGill University was most helpful to this quest. Browne’s quixotic 1646 Pseudodoxia Epidemica was the source of his 10th chapter Of the Blackness of Negroes. There have been several recent attempts to portray William Osler as a racist in the past 10 years and these too were pursued. We also followed Osler’s interests in everything Browne, which prompted Earl F. Nation’s personal interests as well.
Results
The Pseudodoxia is thought to have been written in response to Francis Bacon’s The Advancement of Learning of 1605. In this rather amazing treatise of Browne’s, he looks into the color of African’s pigmentation by all known writers up to his time. During his amazing discussion he chances upon Lamarkian evolution over 100 years prior to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, 200 years prior Darwin’s 1859 On the Origin of Species, and anticipated Gregor Mendel’s 1865 inheritance (birth of genetics). Browne has never been tarred and feathered for fostering racism, but his major 20th century populist physician advocate Sir William Osler (1849-1919) for sure has, beginning in his own country, Canada.
Conclusions
Browne has managed to escape recidivism on his historical piece on dark skin pigmentation and races. Osler has not fared nearly as well, though far more idolized and memorialized than Browne. One might be surprised that the attack on Osler originated from his home region of Toronto, Canada. Earl F. Nation (1910-2008) was former AUA President and a founding member of the American Osler Society would have cautiously disagreed. There is a lesson here for historical urologists, racism is a slippery slope.
Source Of Funding
None
Sessions
History of Urology Forum
206