Physicians, scientists, and the wider culture: Sir William Osler.
Sir William Osler (1849–1919) is regarded by many in the English-speaking world as the greatest physician of his time (1, 2). He made significant research contributions during his early career and was an accomplished pathologist. However, his most important legacy is his contribution to clinical medicine and medical education. Throughout his life he was also extensively involved in creating a professional and academic infrastructure for science-based medicine, which included setting up learned societies, journals, and laboratories.

Osler was born in Canada and studied medicine at the Toronto School of Medicine and subsequently at McGill University. After graduation he visited Europe. On his return to Canada, after a short spell in general practice, he moved to McGill University, where he became a professor in 1875. In 1884 he moved to the US and became the chair of clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1889 he went to Johns Hopkins University, where he became chief of medicine and one of the pillars of the School of Medicine, contributing to its transformation into one of the world's leading medical institutions. In 1905 he retired and moved to England, taking the post of Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, where he remained the rest of his life. King George V conferred a baronetcy on Osler in 1911.

Anton Chekhov, discussed earlier in this series (3), was a physician …