Howard, Robert Palmer, 1823-1889

• Howard, R. P. (Robert Palmer), 1823-1889

Dr. Howard, of Montreal, received his medical degree from McGill University in 1848. Following graduation, he studied in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, and Paris. He returned to Montreal in 1849 and commenced medical practice. In 1851, he began teaching Chemistry at St. Lawrence School of Medicine. Dr. Howard joined the staffs of the McGill Faculty of Medicine and the Montreal General Hospital in 1852. In 1858, he was elected Chairman of the Medical Board of the General Hospital, a post he held for thirty years. By 1860, he had achieved one of the senior chairs at McGill, the Professorship of the Theory of Medicine, which he held until his death. Dr. Howard served as Dean of the Faculty from 1882-1889. William Osler was a pupil of Dr. Howard's during his studies at McGill. Osler never forgot his debt to Dr. Howard and he never lost an opportunity to express his admiration and affection for his former teacher. When the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building was officially opened in 1966, its largest amphitheatre was named in memory of Robert Palmer Howard.