title: Ophthalmology and vanity fair.
abstract: Vanity Fair was the leading Society magazine of Victorian and Edwardian England. A key feature of each weekly issue was the inclusion of a chromolithographed caricature and biographic sketch of a prominent individual. The author undertook a survey of the more than 2000 caricatures published from 1869 to 1914 to determine if any portrayed an ophthalmologist. Seventy-nine of the caricatures depicted physicians and scientists, of whom three were ophthalmologists: Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, Sir Robert Brudenell Carter, and Sir Anderson Critchett. A brief sketch of their ophthalmic accomplishments is presented. Caricatures from Vanity Fair are avidly sought after and are often found in antique shops, sporting venues, and professional offices, especially those of lawyers and judges. It has been said that when seeking the true perspective of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the most faithful mirror and record of representative men and the spirit of their times can be found in Vanity Fair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ferry
mesh_terms: D002325:Caricatures as Topic / Q000266:history*; D004739:England; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000266:history*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000266:history*