Hysterectomy is a well-established operation and one of the most frequently conducted surgical procedures. We have seen the techniques evolve over time, with vaginal, sub-total abdominal, total abdominal, laparoscopically assisted vaginal, total laparoscopic, laparoscopically assisted supracervical (LASH) and robotic hysterectomy to name a few. In 1910, Arthur Wallace described a technique of sub-total vaginal hysterectomy. Similar to the contemporaneously described total Döderlein–Krönig technique (1906), this operation involved the removal of the uterine fundus by performing an anterior colpotomy and delivery of the fundus through this incision (Wallace AJ. BJOG 1910;18:269–71). Wallace was a clinician from a medical background. His father, Professor John Wallace of Liverpool, undertook some of his training, but he also travelled to Paris and Berlin to study. He was a renowned German scholar and, indeed, is likely to have been aware of the Döderlein–Krönig operation. The reason that the cervix was retained was because many clinicians over time have recommended the sub-total procedure to maintain the integrity of the pelvic floor, and thus to prevent prolapse, but also to retain the anatomy of the vagina in younger, sexually active women. It is only within the last few years that this has been shown to be probably fallacious (Andersen L, et al. BJOG 2014;122:851–7; Persson P, Brynhildsen J, Kjølhede P. BJOG 2013;120:1556–65). However, this should not detract from the pioneering spirit of this clinician, whose techniques were subsequently emulated by 21st century surgeons without knowing that Wallace had previously published this technique. The technique as Wallace described it, involved performing an anterior colpotomy and then delivering the corpus uteri into the vagina. The fundus was then pulled down and forwards and the vesical peritoneum was drawn forwards and sutured to the peritoneum covering the posterior surfaces of the supravaginal cervix and broad ligaments. The broad ligaments were sutured and divided as far down as the internal os. The uterine arteries were then sutured and divided and the corpus uteri was cut away from the cervix. The cervical stump was then grasped with forceps and its anterior and posterior walls were sutured together. The broad ligament stumps were then sutured to the cervical stump and the vaginal wound closed. Interestingly, Wallace also suggested the removal of the endocervical canal by a ‘reverse cone’ technique, something that has also re-emerged in later years (Ewies A & Olah KSJ. BJOG 2000;107:1376–9) to prevent continued menstrual loss/discharge following the procedure. Arthur J. Wallace (1867–1913) was a pioneering surgeon who contributed regularly to the literature. In a period prior to the founding of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, his father was the first president of the North of England Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society when it was founded in 1890, and he himself became president in 1908. His contributions included work on repeat caesarean section, abdominal wall incisions, early mobilisation following surgery, ‘hebosteotomy’, and the natural history and mangement of fibroids. A well-respected and skillful surgeon, it would seem that his life was cut short before his full potential was realised. None declared. Completed disclosure of interests form available to view online as supporting information. Image: Arthur J. Wallace (1867–1913) Honorary Obstetrical Surgeon, Ladies’ Charity and Lying-in Hospital; and Honorary Surgeon, Hospital for Women, Liverpool. Reproduced from BJOG 1913;5:318–9. Image is available online as supporting information to the article. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.