Christopher Johnston

Christopher Johnston was born in Baltimore on September 27, 1822. He was educated at St. Mary's College in Baltimore and was a student of Dr. John Buckler. He received his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 1844 and became a resident physician at the Baltimore Almshouse. 

He visited Europe several times, first in late 1844, then from 1853 to 1855 and again in 1886. Johnston was a founder of the Maryland Medical Institute, and lectured there from 1847 onward. He was a lecturer on Experimental Physiology and Microscopy, as well as the curator of the Museum at the University of Maryland from 1855 to 1857. 

Johnston was also a Professor of Anatomy at the Baltimore Dental College from 1857 to 1864; Professor of Anatomy & Physiology at the University of Maryland from 1864 to 1866; and Professor of Anatomy at Maryland from 1866 to 1869. He then became a Professor of Surgery at Maryland until 1881 and then assumed an Emeritus position until his death in 1891. 

He was a Founder and President of the Pathological & Clinical Society; President of the Baltimore Medical Association; Vice President of the Medical & Chirurgical Faculty in 1875-76 and President in 1976-77; President of the Maryland Academy of Science in 1885-1887. He was a consulting surgeon at the Hebrew Hospital and Church Home and Infirmary, as well as Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Johnston was the author of "Ashhurst's Encyclopaedia of Surgery (on plastic surgery and skin grafting). 

Christopher Johnston was referred to as "an accomplished gentleman, an expert artist and microscopist, and a skillful surgeon." He died in Baltimore on October 12, 1891.