Sir Gilbert Blane FRS: the man and his legacy

Sir Gilbert Blane (1749-1834) was a Medical Officer in the Royal Navy who saw action against both the French and Spanish fleets, and later served as a Commissioner on the Sick and Wounded Board of the Admiralty. His work to improve the living conditions and health of sailors, and the significant reductions in sickness rates this achieved, brought him national recognition and honours In 1830, Sir Gilbert Blane established a legacy with the Royal College of Surgeons of England for the award of a Gold Medal in his name to be awarded to medical officers ‘who have brought about an advancement….or improvement in any matter affecting the health or living conditions of Naval personnel’. The first two Gilbert Blane medals were awarded in 1832, and the eponymous award continues to this day, 182 years after his death.