Michael T Tracy

The Life of the Reverend Joseph Taylor Goodsir (1815-1893) and His Contributions in Commemorating the Medical Legacy of the Goodsirs Michael T Tracy

Joseph Taylor Goodsir was the only member of the Goodsir family who did not pursue a career path in the medical profession. Instead, he was called to the ministry and served as a minister to the church and parish of Largo for seven years until he resigned the charge because "the standards of the Church were not consistent with the teaching of the scripture." Joseph was a devoted brother especially in matters relating to his older brother, the esteemed Professor of Anatomy of the University of Edinburgh, John Goodsir as his health began to deteriorate. More importantly, after John's death, the need to commemorate his late brother was paramount to him. He was instrumental in the collection of materials for the work on the life of his brother which was written by William Turner and Henry Lonsdale entitled, The Anatomical Memoirs of John Goodsir. Joseph Goodsir should also be given acclaim for his careful and assiduous distribution of most of the Goodsir correspondences, medical notes and lectures, and mementos to various medical societies, and the University of Edinburgh. The current work describes the life of Joseph Taylor Goodsir from his resignation as minister of the Church of Largo to his mental disorders. Additionally, this work reveals some of Joseph Taylor Goodsir's insights through his personal surviving diaries covering the years of 1850-1870.