Harry Rainy

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Biography of Harry Rainy

Harry Rainy

Harry Rainy (1792-1876) was an alumnus of the University and Regius Professor of Forensic Medicine, 1841 to 1872. He graduated MD from the University in 1833; was appointed Vice-Rector in 1852; awarded an LLD in 1873, and he founded the Rainy Bursaries.

Born in Creich in Sutherland, Rainy matriculated at the University in 1806 and completed his studies at the University of Edinburgh's medical school. He worked as an assistant surgeon at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1817 and 1821 and studied in France, where he became interested in ophthalmology. He returned to the city to build a lucrative private practice and in 1824 he was involved in the opening the Glasgow Eye Infirmary.

In 1832 Rainy became a substitute lecturer in the Theory of Medicine on behalf of the Professor of Practice of Medicine, Charles Badham. He failed to gain the Chair when Babdham retired in 1840, but the following year he was appointed to the Chair of Medical Jurisprudence and Forensic Police. He preferred the title Professor of Forensic Medicine, and he taught both Forensic Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence but did not lecture on public health as his predecessor, Robert Cowan, had done.

Summary

Harry Rainy
Physician and Forensic Scientist
Born 20 October 1792.
Died 6 August 1876.
University Link: Graduate, Honorary Graduate, Lecturer, Professor
GU Degrees: MD, 1833; LLD, 1873;
Occupation categories: forensic scientists; physicians
NNAF Reference: GB/NNAF/P142150
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Record last updated: 23rd Jul 2009