Thomas Willis

Date of Birth: January 27, 1621

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 11, 1675

Biography

Thomas Willis was a pioneering English doctor and anatomist, renowned as one of the founders of clinical neuroscience. Born in the 17th century, Willis made significant contributions to the understanding of the human brain and nervous system. He was a member of the “Oxford Circle,” a group of scientists that included Robert Hooke and Robert Boyle. His most famous work is “Cerebri Anatome,” which laid the groundwork for modern neurology. Willis was a professor of natural philosophy at Oxford University and a practicing physician, whose clinical skills were highly regarded. His research and discoveries have had a lasting impact on the field of medicine, particularly in the areas of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology.

5 Interesting Facts about Thomas Willis

1. Thomas Willis is credited with coining the term “neurology.”

2. He was one of the first to describe the “Circle of Willis,” a crucial arterial circle at the base of the brain.

3. Willis was a Royalist during the English Civil War and worked as a physician in Oxford, treating wounded soldiers.

4. He contributed to the early study of diabetes, describing it as a disease of the blood.

5. Willis was a devout Anglican and wrote extensively on the relationship between philosophy, medicine, and theology.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Thomas Willis

1. “The brain is the citadel of sense perception and the principal organ of the rational soul.”

2. “Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art.”

3. “A physician is obligated to consider more than a diseased organ, more even than the whole man – he must view the man in his world.”

4. “Observation is the most enduring of the pleasures of life.”

5. “In neurology, as in life, we must always be prepared to expect the unexpected.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Net worth figures from the 17th century are not readily available or applicable.

Children

Thomas Willis had several children, but detailed records of their lives are sparse. One of his sons, Thomas Willis Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and became a physician.