Christopher Johnston

Christopher Johnston was born in Baltimore on September 27, 1822. He was educated at St. Mary's College, Baltimore and was a student of Dr. John Buckler. Johnston attended the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 1844. He became a Resident Physician at the Baltimore Almshouse.

He visited Europe in 1844, and again from 1853 to 1855 and again in 1886. He was a Founder of Maryland Medical Institute, and also a Lecturer there. Dr. Johnston was a Vaccine Physician beginning in 1847. During his life, he held many other academic roles including as Lecturer on Experimental Physiology and Microscopy and Curator of the Museum at the University of Maryland, 1855-57; Professor of Anatomy, Baltimore Dental College, 1857-64; Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Maryland, 1864-66; Professor of Surgery, University of Maryland, 1869-81; Emeritus Professor, 1881-91; and President of Alumni Association, University of Maryland, 1882 and 1888.

He was a Founder and President of the Pathological and Clinical Societies; President, Baltimore Medical Association; Vice-President, Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland, in 1875-76, and then President, 1876-77; Consulting Surgeon, Hebrew Hospital and Church Home and Infirmary; Consulting Surgeon, Johns Hopkins Hospital; and President, Maryland Academy of Science, 1885 and 1887.;

Additionally, Dr. Johnston was the author of “Ashhurst's Encyclopaedia of Surgery” (on plastic surgery and skin grafting). He was "an accomplished gentleman, an expert artist and microscopist, and a skillful surgeon."

Dr. Johnston died in Baltimore, October 12, 1891.

MedChi's collection includes a miniature of Dr. Johnston.