Joseph Fayrer was born in 1824 in Plymouth, the second son of Robert John Fayrer and his wife Agnes. Robert was a Commander in the Royal Navy and a pioneer of ocean steam navigation. He was privately educated at Dalrymple in Ayrshire before attending school in Liverpool. At 16, he sailed to the West Indies and South America as a midshipman in the West Indian Mail Steam-Packet Service, and three years later, he accompanied his father on a voyage to Bermuda. His exposure to various medical conditions during his travels, particularly yellow fever, inspired him to pursue medical studies.
Entered Charing Cross Hospital as a junior doctor
In 1844, Fayrer entered Charing Cross Hospital as a junior doctor. He later secured a house appointment at the Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital and qualified as a doctor in 1847. That same year, he joined the Naval Medical Service but soon resigned his commission to travel with Lord Mount-Edgcumbe. In Palermo, during the Sicilian revolution, he gained his first experience treating war wounds. In Rome, he pursued further studies, earning his MD degree in 1849.
Fayrer’s extraordinary career continued in 1850 when he was appointed to the Bengal Medical Service. His early postings included Cherrapunji and Dacca, but in 1852, he was assigned to the Burma field force, witnessing the capture of Rangoon. His service earned him the position of residency surgeon at Lucknow in 1853. The following year, he took on additional administrative responsibilities as honorary assistant resident. In 1855, he married Bethia Mary, daughter of Brigadier General Andrew Spens, then commander of troops at Lucknow. The couple had six sons and two daughters.
Following the annexation of Oudh in 1856, Fayrer was appointed civil surgeon of Lucknow. A year later, during the Siege of Lucknow, he played a crucial role in the medical services. For his contributions, he received official government recognition, a brevet promotion to surgeon, a year’s seniority, and a year’s prize money, which he donated to the Royal Medical Benevolent College, Epsom, as the College was then known. During his home leave in 1858-59, Fayrer prepared for and successfully obtained his MD degree in Edinburgh.
Groundbreaking research on snakebites
Fayrer’s next post was as professor of surgery at Calcutta Medical College. Elected president of the Faculty of Medicine in 1863 and of the Asiatic Society in 1867, he played a prominent role in Calcutta’s medical and public affairs for over a decade. In 1869, he was appointed surgeon to the Viceroy, a year after being awarded the title of Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI). He later accompanied the Duke of Edinburgh on a visit to North-West India in 1870. Meanwhile, his groundbreaking research on snakebites was published in Thanatophidia of India (1872).
In 1873, Fayrer resigned from active service and became a member, later chairman, of the Medical Board of the India Office, a position he held until his retirement in 1895 with the rank of surgeon-general. During a final visit to India in 1875-76 as part of the Prince of Wales’s staff, he was awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI).
Member of the Council for Epsom College, later serving as chairman
Fayrer remained active in private practice, writing, and participating in various medical committees and international congresses. He delivered clinical lectures at Charing Cross Hospital, where he was elected consulting physician in 1877, and became a member of the Council for Epsom College, later serving as chairman. Reflecting on his Epsom colleagues, he wrote:
“I was much associated with Dr. C. Holman, the treasurer, of whose devoted services to the interest of this public school it is impossible to speak too highly.”
Took an active role in the running of Epsom College
Fayrer took an active role in the running of Epsom College and also delivered lectures to students when time permitted, including one on his area of expertise—poisonous snakes.
In 1896, Fayrer was made a baronet, and the following year, he consented to have his name given to a new day boys’ Lower School House at Epsom College. In time, the House was allowed to “grow up” and became the senior House it is today.
He spent most of his final decade in Falmouth, where he enjoyed yachting and deep-sea fishing. During this time, he wrote Recollections of My Life (1900), a detailed personal account dedicated to his wife. The book covers many significant events of his life, including his evident commitment to Epsom College. Fayrer passed away in Falmouth in 1907.
