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Alexander Hugh Freeland Barbour MD LLD FRSE FRCPE (1856 - 11 June 1927) was a Scottish gynaecologist and noted medical author. He was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and co-author of the world-acclaimed Manual of Gynaecology.
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Life
He was born in Edinburgh the youngest son of George Freeland Barbour of Bonskeid (1810-1887), a Director of the North British Railway, and Margaret Fraser Sandeman.
He received an MA and BSc in Natural Science before then studying Medicine, all within Edinburgh University. He graduated MD in 1884 having won a gold medal for his thesis: On Spinal Deformity in relation to Obstetrics.
He was attracted to obstetrics and gynaecology through the influence of Professor Sir Alexander Russell Simpson, his brother-in-law, to whom he became University Assistant. Later he was appointed physician to the Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital and gynaecologist to the Royal Infirmary; at the same time he became lecturer on Midwifery and Gynaecology at the Extra-mural School.
He was President of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh 1914 to 1916.
In later life he is listed as living at 4 Charlotte Square, an elite Edinburgh address.
Upon his retirement, the Universities of Edinburgh and Toronto honoured Dr Freeland Barbour with the degree of LL.D.
He died in Edinburgh and was buried in Dean Cemetery on the lower (concealed) south terrace.
Family
In 1889 he married Margaret Nelson Brown (1864-1930).
Their son George Brown Barbour (1890-1977) became a geologist, spending much time in both America and China and is remembered as the discoverer of the Xiaochangliang site.
His sister, Margaret Stewart Barbour, married Alexander Russell Simpson who was also a near neighbour, living at 52 Queen Street.
Religious Affiliations
Dr Barbour was for 40 years an elder at St George's United Free Church, Edinburgh, ministered by his brother-in-law Dr Alexander Whyte, having joined the church when a student. He was president of the Scottish Auxiliary of the China Mission of the English Presbyterian Church, succeeding his father.
Freeland Barbour Fellowship
Dr A H Freeland Barbour founded this Fellowship in 1889 through the RCPE in memory of his late father and is meant to focus on Obstetrics and Gynaecology.