Abstract
This son of an Aberdeen minister, graduating MD in Edinburgh in 1803, established a leading practice in that city, attracting apprentices to study medicine and patients of all classes of society from throughout Scotland. Sir Walter Scott in his later years was one who relied on his medical expertise. Dr Abercrombie, a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, was in the forefront of Edinburgh medicine. An extensive author, primarily on medical subjects and laterally turning to metaphysical, moral and religious works, he gained a reputation among intellectuals world-wide.
A philanthropist, he gave large amounts of financial aid to Missionary Societies, both at home and overseas. A founder member of first President of the Edinburgh Association for Sending Medical Aid to Foreign Countries (two years later renamed the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society).
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