title: William Cruikshank (1745-1800), anatomist and surgeon, and his illustrious patient, Samuel Johnson.
abstract: William Cumberland Cruikshank (1745-1800) was a Scot who from 1771 until his death taught anatomy at the famous school of anatomy in Great Windmill Street, London, founded by William Hunter (1718-1783). Arguably, his most famous patient was Samuel Johnson, the celebrated 18th Century man of letters and author of the first English dictionary. This article, largely drawn from Johnson's correspondence, documents the medical condition that caused Johnson to consult Cruikshank and some of the social links between Johnson, Hunter, and Cruikshank.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stuart W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D054814:Anatomists / Q000266:history*; D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history*; D004739:England; D005197:Famous Persons; D013502:General Surgery / Q000266:history*; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D066231:Surgeons / Q000266:history*
keywords: 18th Century London; Essex Head Club; Samuel Johnson; William Cruikshank; history of medicine; peripheral oedema;  William Hunter