Person    | Male  Born 28/9/1789  Died 16/12/1858

Richard Bright

Categories: Medicine

A physician specialising in kidney problems, he was credited with the discovery of Bright's Disease (now called Glomerulonephritis or Nephritis) through his research on patients who exhibited dropsy (swelling) and albuminuria (protein in the urine). This research allowed him to create a new category of disease. Our picture source gives a biography of his life. 

He died, aged 69 years, on 16 December 1858 at 11 Saville Row, London, WC1 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, Harrow Road, London, W10. The family grave was destroyed in a bombing raid by German aircraft in 1940, but there is a plaque to his memory in his parish church, St James's, Piccadilly, Westminster.

Probate records state that his will with a codicil was proved on 9 February 1859 and his effects were under £50,000.

Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Richard Bright

Commemorated ati

Richard Bright

Greater London Council Richard Bright, 1789 - 1858, physician, lived here.

Read More

Other Subjects

Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital

Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital

The wonderful Lost Hospitals of London provides information: The Royal Westminster Infirmary for the Cure of Diseases of the Eye was founded by George James Guthrie (1785-1856). Clinics were initi...

Group, Medicine

1 memorial
Physiological Society

Physiological Society

Founded as a dining society by a group of 19 sociologists led by John Burton Sanderson and Michael Foster. Most of its members are involved in research into how the body works in health and disease...

Group, Community / Clubs, Medicine

1 memorial
Dr John Langdon Haydon Down

Dr John Langdon Haydon Down

Doctor specialising in mental illnesses who classified what is now called Down's Syndrome in 1862.  We think the family used 'Langdon Down' as their surname. Born Cornwall.  Aged 18, he came to Lo...

Person, Medicine

1 memorial
F. W. Clifford

F. W. Clifford

District Officer in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District, 1920-1942. Officer in the Order of St John. Nature, No. 3806, 10 October 1942 carries Clifford's obituary. At the time of his sud...

Person, Emergency Services, Medicine, Museums / Libraries, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas, GC

Sister Dorothy Louise Thomas, GC

Nurse.  Born East London, died Chelmsford. From Stephen's Study Room: "At the time of her EGM award she was a Nursing Sister at the Middlesex Hospital {Foley Street}, London.  On the 26 January 19...

Person, Medicine

1 memorial

Previously viewed

George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan

George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan

Naval officer and politician. Born St James's Square. Joined the Navy aged 13 (this was not uncommon) and served in the French Revolutionary Wars. Charles had 7 elder brothers so the chances of him...

Person, Armed Forces, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Sir Hugh Myddelton

Sir Hugh Myddelton

Goldsmith and entrepreneur. Born Denbigh, Wales sometime 1555-60, younger brother of Sir Thomas Myddelton (c1550-1631) who became Lord Mayor of London. 1576 came to London to be an apprentice golds...

Person, Engineering, Food & Drink, Wales

7 memorials
Douglas Macmillan

Douglas Macmillan

Civil servant and charity founder. Born at 12 Cunnock Terrace, Castle Cary, Somerset. The death of his father from cancer inspired him to found the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer, ...

Person, Benefactor, Politics & Administration

2 memorials
Treena Chappell

Treena Chappell

Treena Chappell was born on 18 August 1970, the younger child of Terence Chappell and Mary Chappell née Keaveney and her birth was registered in the Westminster registration district. Her brother, ...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Hunting Gate Group

Hunting Gate Group

Property company based in Hitchin. 

Group, Property

1 memorial