William Coulson (surgeon)

After receiving some classical education at the local grammar school, Coulson spent two years in Brittany (1816–18), studying the French language and literature.

Having first been apprenticed to a Penzance surgeon, he entered Edward Grainger's School of Anatomy in the Borough, and attended St. Thomas's Hospital, where he became dresser to Frederick Tyrrell.

He helped found the Aldersgate Street School of Medicine with Tyrrell, Sir William Lawrence, and others, and acted for three years as demonstrator of anatomy.

[1] In 1833 Coulson failed to secure election to an assistant-surgeoncy at the London Hospital, being beaten by Thomas Blizard Curling.

[1] About the time when The Lancet was first published in 1823, Coulson attracted Thomas Wakley's attention, becoming a contributor, and then a staff member.

[1] Coulson was a liberal, a disciple of Thomas Carlyle, F. D. Maurice, and John Stuart Mill; also a friend of Richard Harris Barham, Francis Newman and other literary men.