David Watt Torrance 
Biography of David Watt Torrance
David Watt Torrance graduated MBCM from the University in 1883. He was born in Airdrie, son of Dr Thomas Torrance.
Upon graduation Dr Torrance travelled to Palestine in 1884 where he served with the Sea of Galilee Medical Mission. Torrance then undertook further training in Egypt, Damascus and Nazareth, before returning to Tiberias 1885 where he opened a Scottish Mission hospital, the first that was open to all races and religions. Initially set in two rooms near the Franciscan monastery, it expanded in 1894 into a new hospital at Beit abu Shamnel abu Hannah. Torrance was later ordained in the Free Church of Scotland in 1895.
During World War I, Torrance served with the Royal Army Medical Corps as resident officer in charge of Oakbank War Hospital in the west of Scotland. You can find his entry in our Roll of Honour here.
His children, Herbert Watt, Lydia Ida Huber, and Eleanor Marjorie, all born in Tiberias, followed in their father's footsteps studying Medicine at the University of Glasgow.
Sources
Other Online Resources
Archival Materials
- Addison, W. Innes, A Roll of the Graduates of the University of Glasgow from 31st December, 1727 to 31st Decmeber, 1897, with short biographical notes, Glasgow : J. MacLehose & Sons
Summary
David Watt Torrance
Born 1862.
Died 26 August 1923.
GU Degree: MB CM, 1883;
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate
Occupation categories: missionaries; physicians
WWI: View WWI Roll of Honour Entry
English snippet: Medical graduate of the University of Glasgow in 1883Record last updated: 30th Jun 2021
Country Associations
Scotland, Airdrie
Place of Birth
Israel, Tiberias
Place of Death
Palestinian Territory, Occupied, No Region
Syrian Arab Republic, Damascus
University Connections
University Roles
- Alumnus
- Graduate [View David Watt Torrance's record in the list of graduates]