The British Medical Journal
March 14, 1891
On the 1st of this month, at The Limes, Bristol Road, Birmingham, died Richard Middlemore, F.R.C.S., the accomplished and erudite ophthalmologist. He was a descendant, tlhrough the Hawkesley branch, of the ancient and distinguished family of Middlemore, lords of the manor of Edbaston, and possessors of other manors and great estates in the counties of Worcester and Warwick. He was born on October 12th, 1804, and so was in his 87th year. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to a surgeon of wide local reputation, A Mr. Chawner, of Lichfield. In 1823 he entered as a student at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and had for fellow students the following well-known Birmingham men: Dr. Corrie, Dr. James Johnston, Mr. Frederick Ryland., and Mr. Edwin Bartleet, all of whom have long predeceased him. During his period of dressership for Mr. Vincent he was frequently called upon to dress for Mr. Abernethy, and he prided himself on the fact that he not only never got a scolding from Abernethy but received several invitations from him to dine at Bedford Row. On leaving London he carried a warm recommendation from Mr. Abernethy to Mr. Hodgeson, who was than surgeon to the General Hospital, Birminham, and by far the most distinguished surgeon in the Midlands. For three years he acted as dressing pupil to Mr. Hodgeson, and for more than ten years afterwards as his friendly assistant. His chief friend at St. Bartholomew’s was the present Sir Richard Owen, K.C.B., a friendship which continued warmly cemented during his life. After leaving, St. Bartholomew’s he maintained a friendly correspondence with most of his teachers, and especially with William Lawrence. Writing a year or two ago, he said, mentioning, Mr. Lawrence, “his reference to my writings in the various Medical journals afforded me a degree (encouragement, which, after a lapse of nearly sixty years, I think of with feelings of the deepest gratitude and pleasure.'' Mr. Middlemore engaged in general practice with an especial leaning towards surgery and ophthalmology, stimulated probably in these respects by the example of Mr. Hodgeson. In 1823 the Birmingham Eye Hospital was founded, and in 1828 he was appointed assistant surgeon, in 1828 full surgeon, and in 1849 he joined the consulting staff. In 1831 he won the Jacksonian Prize, and in 1835 he published his greatest work, A Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye and its Appendages, which he built upon the foundation of his prize essay. Of this work it may justly be said that it presented, with the greatest accuracy and completeness, all that was valuable in theory and practice in the ophthalmic science of the period. So thoroughly was this recognized by contemporary ophthalmologists, that it was spoken of as “the most complete treatise on diseases of the eye with which we are acquainted;" as " constituting in itself almost a complete library of ophthalmology," and as " a work which will even be of standard authority and reference." In 1836 he issued a prospectus of a journal of ophthalmology, but it fell through for want of support from publishers and the profession. From his earliest days he was a steady contributor to the medical journals. His writings attracted attention on the Continent, and his name is now frequently seen mentioned by those who are dealing with the history and growth of ophthalmology. He was active in his practice as well as in his scientific and literary work. It was no unusual thing for him to be engaged upon magazine and review work for a great part of the night, and for him to begin the seeing of free patients early, after a snatch of breakfast, and continue this till 10 o'clock. Then to see his private patients till 3, after which he would enter his carriage and drive to Lichfield or Leamington or other distant town, to consultation, taking a hasty meal on the way. Besides being a very active practitioner, he was a willing and acceptable teacher. His courses of lectures were well attended and of intrinsic merit. He remained in active practice till 1879, when he completed his 75th year; and so great was his love of his work that he would have remained still longer in it if lie could have satisfied himself that lie was doing justice to his patients. To the day of his death he maintained his interest in his work, and regretted his inability to do more for his profession than he had done. In 1877 he founded a triennial prize in ophthalmology in connection with the British Medical Association, a body which, from its earliest existence, had always his warmest support. In 1888 he made a grant of £1,000 to endow a course of postgraduate lectures in ophthalmology in connection with the Birminigham and Midland Eye Hospital, the scene of his early labours. In 1890 lie gave £2,000 to the Birmingham Asylum for the Blind, and institution which he laboured earnestly as early as 1838 to establish. The interest of this gift lie devoted to helping those who, having been educated in the institution, might be prevented starting a useful life by want of books, or tools, or instruments. Throughout the whole of his life his earnest love for and devotion to his profession, and his generous unostentatious sympathy, endeared him to those associated with him. Conscientious in his relations with his professional brethren, modest, never seeking notoriety, simple, kind, generous, sensitive to a fault, always maintaining a high standard of professional life, he has furnished his survivors an example which we shall do well to follow. Of him and his teaching it may well be said, "Memoria bene redditae vitae sempiterna."