# James Parkinson

> English surgeon, apothecary, geologist, paleontologist, and political activist

**Wikidata**: [Q336489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q336489)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Parkinson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-parkinson

## Summary
James Parkinson was an English surgeon, apothecary, geologist, paleontologist, and political activist, most notably recognized for his 1817 publication "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" that described what is now known as Parkinson's disease.

## Biography
- Born: 1755-04-11
- Nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Affiliated with Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry
- Known for: Describing Parkinson's disease in his 1817 essay
- Employer(s): Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry (affiliated)
- Field(s): Surgery, geology, paleontology, pharmacy, politics

## Contributions
James Parkinson made significant contributions across multiple scientific fields. His most famous work was "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" published in 1817, which provided the first clinical description of what is now known as Parkinson's disease. He documented symptoms including tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. In geology and paleontology, he contributed to the understanding of Earth's history through fossil studies and geological observations. As an apothecary and surgeon, he practiced medicine and contributed to medical knowledge through his clinical observations.

## FAQs
- **What is James Parkinson most famous for?** He is most famous for his 1817 publication "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy," which provided the first clinical description of what is now known as Parkinson's disease.
- **Where did James Parkinson work?** He was affiliated with Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in London, England.
- **What fields did he practice?** Parkinson practiced as a surgeon, apothecary, geologist, paleontologist, and was also involved in political activism.
- **What was his nationality?** He was English, with citizenship in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## Why They Matter
James Parkinson's work on what is now known as Parkinson's disease fundamentally changed the understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. His detailed clinical description provided the foundation for future research and treatment approaches. His contributions to geology and paleontology helped advance the scientific understanding of Earth's history and fossil records. As a political activist, he also contributed to social and political discourse of his time.

## Notable For
- First described Parkinson's disease in his 1817 essay "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy"
- Worked as a surgeon and apothecary in London
- Contributed to the fields of geology and paleontology
- Was a political activist in the United Kingdom

## Body
### Early Life and Education
James Parkinson was born on April 11, 1755, in London, England. He received his education at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, which had its origins dating back to the 12th century. This institution, located in London, provided him with the medical training that would later form the basis of his surgical practice.

### Medical Career
Parkinson practiced as both a surgeon and an apothecary (pharmacist) in London. His medical practice involved treating various conditions, and through his clinical observations, he developed a keen understanding of neurological disorders. His work in surgery and pharmacy positioned him well to observe and document the symptoms of what would later be recognized as Parkinson's disease.

### Scientific Contributions
Parkinson made significant contributions across multiple scientific disciplines. In 1817, he published "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy," which described the condition now known as Parkinson's disease. The essay detailed symptoms including tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, providing the first comprehensive clinical description of the disorder. This work established Parkinson's disease as a distinct medical condition rather than a symptom of other illnesses.

In addition to his work in medicine, Parkinson was also a geologist and paleontologist. He conducted studies on Earth's geological history and fossil records, contributing to the understanding of Earth's composition and structure. His geological observations helped advance the field of paleontology by documenting ancient life forms and geological formations.

### Political Activism
Beyond his scientific work, Parkinson was also involved in political activism. He engaged in social and political issues of his time, using his position and influence to advocate for various causes. His activism reflected his broader commitment to public service and social improvement.

### Legacy
James Parkinson's description of Parkinson's disease remains foundational to the field of neurology. His work provided the first systematic documentation of the condition, which has since become a major area of medical research and treatment. His contributions to geology and paleontology also helped advance scientific understanding of Earth's history. Parkinson died on December 21, 1824, leaving behind a legacy that spans multiple scientific disciplines.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/download/english/is_jamesparkinson.doc)
2. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
3. The Peerage
4. Integrated Authority File
5. Education forms the tender mind
6. BnF authorities
7. datos.bne.es
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. International Plant Names Index
11. SNAC
12. Find a Grave
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
16. [Source](https://catalogue.beic.it/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Parkinson,%20James&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Library&vid=39BEIC_INST:39BEIC_INST&offset=0)
17. CERL Thesaurus
18. The wrong James Parkinson
19. The true face of James Parkinson
20. A Tribute to James Parkinson
21. LIBRIS. 2004