H18 James Clark White: a pioneer of American dermatology

Abstract

Abstract James Clark White, a chemist, botanist and eminent dermatologist, was a born to a shipbuilder in Boston in 1833 and from a young age was fascinated by the natural world around him. White proceeded to study medicine at Harvard and spent a further year at the University of Vienna. He was taught by renowned dermatologists, including Ferdinand Von Hebra, whose detailed drawings and lectures in dermatology were pivotal to White’s interest in the field. White’s varied background in both chemistry and botany translated into his prolific academic work on environmental dermatoses. His famous Dermatitis Venenata: An Account of External Irritants Upon the Skin was the first to provide a collective resource of contact dermatitis, before the pathogenesis of these conditions was truly understood. Another instrumental piece, ‘A case of keratosis (ichthyosis) follicularis’ is now recognized as the first description of Darier disease, which was subsequently named Darier–White disease. White authored eight books and over 100 original articles that covered many areas of cutaneous disease. White returned to Massachusetts General Hospital where, after spending a few years in general practice, he devoted his career to skin disease. He developed the dermatology department into a centre of excellence and was ultimately appointed the first chair of dermatology. A founding member of the American Dermatology Society, and twice its chairman, he progressed to become the first full professor of dermatology in the USA. White spearheaded dermatological education at Harvard, extending the specialty training from 2 to 4 years and introduced an exit examination for residents. White is regarded as part of the vanguard that elevated American dermatology to European standards in the late nineteenth century. In his personal time, White was ardent collector of fine wines and china. He devoted much time reading and listing species of birds and plants that he encountered around his residence in Belfast, Maine. He died in September 1916. His family also had distinguished careers, including his son Charles J. White, who took over his practice to also become a professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School; and a grandson, also named James C. White, a professor of neurosurgery at the same institution. Almost two centuries after his birth, White’s lifelong dedication to dermatology has produced many works that remain relevant and inspire the dermatologists of today.