William Cumin 
Biography of William Cumin
William Cumin (1784-1854) was a graduate of the University who was Regius Professor of Midwifery from 1834 to 1840.
The son of Patrick Cumin, Professor of Oriental Languages, Cumin studied at the University and graduated MA in 1805. He served as an Army Hospital Mate and an Assistant-Surgeon in the British Army before he was appointed a Surgeon with the 88th Regiment of Foot in 1812. He was forced to leave the 88th after he was Court Marshalled in 1815, but was restored to the service as an Assistant Surgeon in the 3rd Veteran Battalion 1816. He was awarded an MD by the University in 1813.
Cumin was appointed a surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1818 and Professor of Botany at Anderson's College in 1819. During his tenure of the University Chair, he taught around eighty students each year and spent more than £200 on preparations, drawings, apparatus and other teaching aids.
Summary
William Cumin
Surgeon and Obstetrician
Born 7 November 1784.
Died 17 January 1854.
GU Degrees: MA, 1805; MD, 1813;
University Link: Graduate, Professor
Occupation categories: obstetricians; surgeons
Additional Information: Coutts, James, A History of the University of Glasgow (Glasgow, 1909)
Record last updated: 21st Jul 2009
Country Associations
University Connections
University Roles
- Graduate [View William Cumin's record in the list of graduates]
- Professor
Academic Posts
Professorships: