J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2015; 45: 67–75 Paper http://dx.doi.org/10.4997/JRCPE.2015.116 © 2015 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh The Monros – three medical dynasties with a common origin 1I Macintyre, 2A Munro 1Retired surgeon, Edinburgh, UK; 2Retired surgeon, Inverness, UK ABSTRACT From origins in their heartlands in Easter Ross, clan Munro produced Correspondence to I Macintyre no fewer than three distinct medical dynasties, all descended from Hugh Munro, 20 Lygon Road 9th Baron Foulis (c1352–1425), 12th chief of the clan. This paper describes what Edinburgh EH16 5QB we believe to be a unique family of related medical dynasties which were influential UK in Edinburgh, London and the Scottish Highlands. It sets out in detail the family genealogy, provides some biographical information, and explores the reasons for e-mail iainmacintyre@blueyonder. the development of such medical dynasties, which appear to be different for each co.uk of the three dynasties within this family. The ‘Edinburgh Monros’ included the three Alexanders Monro, primus, secundus and tertius, who between them occupied the university chair of Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh for 126 years from 1720. Dr David Monro, son of Alexander Monro tertius, emigrated to New Zealand where his descendants included several doctors, the last of whom died in 2013. The ‘Bedlam Monros’ achieved fame, and some notoriety, in managing mental illness in London for the 154 years from 1728–1882. In contrast, the ‘Bonesetter Munros’ practised their skills in the local community in Ross-shire and one of them attracted patients from all over Britain. They practised their trade for over 100 years from the start of the 19th to the early 20th century. KEYWORDS anatomy, bonesetters, medical dynasty, mental illness, Monros DECLARATION OF INTERESTS No conflict of interest declared INTRODUCTION While clusters of doctors from the same family can William Pulteney Alison (1790–1859), was professor of probably be found in every society, Scotland has Medical Jurisprudence at Edinburgh.1 produced some particularly notable medical dynasties. Successive generations of the Bell family –Benjamin Bell Perhaps the best known medical dynasties emerging (1749–1806), his son Joseph (1786–1848), his grandson from Scotland are the Monros and the Beatons. Two Benjamin (1810–1883) and his great-grandson Joseph branches of the Monros dominated, respectively, (1837–1911) – were Edinburgh surgeons and each was anatomy in Edinburgh and treatment of ‘madness’ in deacon or president of the Royal College of Surgeons London during the 18th and 19th centuries. A third, of Edinburgh. The progenitor of this medical dynasty, less well documented, branch of the family practised Benjamin Bell senior, established what became the without formal training as bonesetters. busiest surgical practice in Scotland and this was handed down to the succeeding three generations, This paper describes these branches and their along with various lucrative hospital appointments. relationship to the Beaton medical kindred, who were prominent in Scotland between the 14th–18th Another good example of dynastic succession in centuries. The reasons for the development of each of HISTORY Scottish medicine is the Gregory family. James Gregory these branches into a medical dynasty are briefly (1674–1733) held the chair of medicine at King’s explored. College Aberdeen, as did his elder son James (1707– 1755) and his younger son John (1724–1773), and the THE ANCESTORS OF THE EDINBURGH latter went on to hold the chair of medicine in MONROS Edinburgh. The latter’s son James (1753–1821) succeeded him in that chair while one grandson, The following genealogy is taken from two sources, William Gregory (1803–1858), held a chair of medicine Munro’s 1734 genealogy2 and Mackenzie’s 1898 History in Aberdeen, then chemistry in Edinburgh, and another, of the Munros of Fowlis.3 67 I Macintyre, A Munro Hugh Munro (c1352–1425) 9th of Foulis George Munro (†1452) 10th of Foulis John Monro 1st of Milntown (Delny) (†1475) John Munro (1437–1490) 11th of Foulis Andrew Mor Monro (1440–1501) William Munro (†1505) 12th of Foulis Andrew Beg Monro (†1522) Hector Munro (1492–1541) 13th of Foulis George Monro (1522–1576) Robert Munro (1518–1547) 14th of Foulis Rev George Monro (1552–1630) Hector Munro 1st of Fyrish and Contullich Rev George Monro (1577–1642) John Munro (c1567–1640) 1st of Fyrish Sir Alexander Monro (1629–1704) Hugh Munro (c1617–1668) 4th of Fyrish John Monro (1670–1740) (surgeon) Rev Alexander Monro (1648–1698) 7th of Fyrish Prof Alexander Monro primus (1697–1767) Dr James Monro (1680–1752) 8th of Fyrish Prof Alexander Monro secundus (1733–1817) Dr John Monro (1715–1791) 9th of Fyrish Prof Alexander Monro tertius (1773–1859) Dr Thomas Monro (1759–1833) Dr David Monro (1813–1877) (emigrated to New Zealand) Dr Edward Thomas Monro (1790–1856) Dr Henry Monro (1817–1891) FIGURE 1 Genealogy of the Bedlam Monros (doctors shown in italics) and the Edinburgh Monros (doctors shown in bold) Hugh Munro, (c1352–1425) the 9th Baron Foulis, was the Black Isle. His son, also Rev George Munro (1577– the earliest common ancestor of the various Munros 1642), inherited his father’s charge as minister of the and Monros considered here (Figure 1). He was the 12th small community of Suddie on the Black Isle. His second chief of the Clan Munro whose seat was Foulis Castle in son, Alexander Monro (1629–1704) of Bearcrofts, was Ross-shire, which remains home to the chief of the Clan knighted for his service in the army and made Munro. Although he is traditionally the 9th Baron and Commissioner of Stirling.4 He bought the estate of 12th overall chief of the clan, he is only the 2nd Munro Auchinbowie, just outside Stirling, and served as MP for chief that can be proved by contemporary evidence.2 the County of Stirling. Sir Alexander Monro’s son John Monro (1670–1740) became a surgeon, the first of the His son, John Monro (d 1475), was notable for leading ‘Edinburgh Monros’.2-4 the clan at the Battle of Clachnaharry (1454), just outside Inverness. He acquired lands at Milntown and MONROS OF AUCHENBOWIe – ‘THE Delny, near Invergordon in present day Easter Ross, and EDINBURGH MONRos’ became 1st of Milntown. According to MacKenzie he was the first to use the Monro spelling of the surname.3 John Monro (1670–1740) was the first doctor in this line of the family (Figure 1).4,5 A career in medicine at John was succeeded by his eldest son, Andrew Mor this time was becoming increasingly acceptable for the Monro (1440–1501), 2nd of Milntown; ‘a bold, austere, sons of the landed gentry who could afford to provide and gallant gentleman, esteemed by his friends, and a financial support during training. Monro was apprenticed terror to his enemies.’3 Andrew Beg [small or son of] to the surgeon William Borthwick of Pilmuir (1641–89) Monro (d 1522), 3rd of Milntown, his son, acquired who was the first in the Edinburgh Incorporation of more land by crown charter and was given the office of Surgeons to have an international perspective, having chief steward of the Earldom of Ross. Further patronage studied in Padua in Italy and Leiden in Holland. His in 1512 from James IV of Scotland resulted in even more Leiden education and his appointment in 1679 as land and he became known as ‘Black Andrew of the Chirurgeon Major to the Army in Scotland, both seven castles’, as he reputedly had a castle on each of his influenced his young apprentice.6,7 Monro also studied seven estates and was noted for his ferocious temper. medicine in Leiden and returned fired with ambition to replicate its university medical school and associated He was followed by his son, George Monro (1522– teaching hospital in Edinburgh, the first of its kind in the 1576), 4th of Milntown, who was appointed by Mary, British Isles. John Monro became deacon (president) of Queen of Scots as her bailie and chamberlain for the the Incorporation of Surgeons, a member of the royal lands of Ross and the Black Isle. Continuing to Edinburgh Town Council and deacon of the Edinburgh enjoy royal patronage, his son, Rev George Munro Convenerie of Trades, positions which gave him the (1552–1630), 1st of Pitlundie, was given the lucrative political power to fulfil his ambition to establish the position of Chancellor of Ross by King James VI in 1571, new medical school.5 Monro and his political ally, HISTORY which supplemented his stipend as a parish minister. As Provost Drummond, built on the foundation laid by a result, he was able to acquire the Pitlundie Estate on Robert Sibbald and the recently established Royal 68 J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2015; 45: 67–75 © 2015 RCPE The Monros – three medical dynasties with a common origin College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He arranged that his foramen of Monro, the communication between the son Alexander (1697–1767) should have a medical third and lateral ventricles.18,19 He laid the groundwork education and training which would allow him to for another hypothesis which bears his name, the become a professor and leader in this new venture. Monro-Kellie doctrine. George Kellie, the Leith surgeon, and John Abercrombie, the Edinburgh physician,20 had Fortunately for all concerned, Alexander Monro primus both been taught by Monro and held him in great (1697–1767) had the intellectual and leadership qualities esteem. Monro collaborated with Kellie, who then to fill this role. Following education in Edinburgh, defined the doctrine from post-mortem studies while London and Paris, he was appointed Professor of Abercrombie was largely responsible for the experimental Anatomy at the University of Edinburgh in 1720, confirmation and for its promotion around the world.21-23 teaching at first in Surgeons’ Hall and, from 1725, in the University building.