William Thomas Aikins

Aikins, William Thomas

William Thomas Aikins, surgeon, educator (b at Toronto Township, Upper Canada 4 June 1827; d at Toronto 25 May 1897). The son of Protestant Irish immigrants, he studied at John ROLPH's Toronto School of Medicine and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Graduating in 1850, he became anatomy instructor in Rolph's school. In 1856 the staff wrested control of the school from the overbearing Rolph; Aikins, then professor of surgery, became president, remaining so until 1887 when, through his efforts, the TSM became the University of Toronto medical faculty. Aikins served as dean until 1893. A superb surgeon and early exponent of Lister's antiseptic methods, he was an inspiring teacher and able administrator under whose direction the TSM and the university's medical school acquired national reputations. Moreover, as a leading member of the Council of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, he helped raise the provincial standards for medical education.