Centennial ties: Harvey Cushing (1869–1939) and William Osler (1849–1919) on Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564)

Abstract

Andreas Vesalius is often regarded as the founding father of modern anatomical study. The quincentennial anniversary of his birth – 31 December 2014 – has been very widely commemorated, and it is the purpose of this article to contrast these celebrations with what happened during the Vesalius quatercentenary year of 1914. More specifically, we look at how Vesalius was perceived a century ago by examining his influence on two of western medicine’s most iconic gentlemen – Harvey Williams Cushing (1869–1939) and his larger than life mentor, Sir William Osler (1849–1919).