Henry Howse

Henry Greenway Howse was born in Lyncombe Hall,^[3] Bath (England) to Henry Edward Howse and Isabella Howse (née Weald).^[4] He entered an apprenticeship in Reading at age 18 before commencing training at Guy's Hospital at age 20.^[1]

He had subsequent appointments at London University as a demonstrator in anatomy, before returning to Guy's as a member of staff as a surgery lecturer.

In 1881, he married a Miss Marshall, daughter of Thomas Lethbridge Marshall (a Unitarian minister at the New Gravel Pit Chapel); they subsequently had three daughters and one son.

His contributions include the development of new methods for preserving anatomical specimens for teaching (using a mixture of glycerine and arsenic), introducing histology (rather than just gross anatomy) as a part of the training for surgeons, propagating the antiseptic methods of Lister and knee surgery, although his surgical practice was very broad. He wasn't a prolific author, but did write entries for Heath's Dictionary of Practical Surgery^[5] and as an Editor for Guy's Hospital Reports.^[1]

For the Royal College of Surgeons he was Vice-president (1897–1900) then President (1901–1903). He was knighted in the 1902 Coronation Honours list,^[6] receiving the accolade from King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 24 October that year.^[7]

• Bradshaw Lecture – 1899^[8]
• Knighthood – 1902^[8]
• Hunterian Oration – 1903^[8]