Willan, robert

(¤ 1757,  1812) Dermatologist, working in London. Important English physician and dermatologist, is considered the "father of modern English dermatology". Willan studied in Edinburgh. Doctorate there in 1780. Further studies in London and Durham. Willan gave the first well-founded and systematic presentation of dermatological diseases and is thus the actual founder of the discipline of dermatology. Differentiation and subdivision of psoriasis and lupus vulgaris. Definition and introduction of terms like pompholyx (blistering diseases), erythema nodosum and eczema. First description of pityriasis versicolor. The term "eczema" was introduced into dermatology by Willan. Important is the clinical delimitation of the different subgroups, especially (1808) of the atopical eczema. He presented this classification at a meeting of the "Medical Society of London" in 1790. For this he received the "Fothergillian Gold medal" of the association. Willan also had spiritual forerunners, especially in Joseph Jakob Plenck, who worked in Vienna and Buda. Willan died in 1812 on Madeira, where he is also buried. The inscription on his gravestone reads: "Sacred to the memory of Robert Willan MD FRS of London who died on this island 7 April 1812 aged 55 years". Willan`s work was later continued by his friend and collaborator Thomas Bateman.