James Russell (surgeon)

James Russell FRSE RSA (1754–1836) was a Scottish surgeon who was the first professor of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh.

In an effort to expand this aspect of his career, he was drawn into the controversy over the establishment of a Chair of Clinical Surgery at the University of Edinburgh.

[1] Russell continued in the chair until the age of 78 and when he retired in 1833 he made it a condition that his successor should pay him a salary of £300 per year for his lifetime.

Robert Liston, a strong contender for the chair, refused "in rather coarse terms" to pay this sum and James Syme was appointed as Russell's successor.

[9] In later life, and until retiral, he lived with his family at 30 Abercromby Place, facing Queen Street Gardens in Edinburgh's New Town.

He died on 14 August 1836 at Bangholm Bower House in Trinity, Edinburgh and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in the city centre.