Sir Alexander Christison, 2nd Baronet (26 August 1828 – 14 October 1918) was a member of the Edinburgh Christison medical dynasty. He was one of the first doctors to write on the medical benefits of cannabis.
He spent most of his working life in India. On return to Scotland he made major advances in achieving medical training for women.
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Life
He was born on 26 August 1828 at 63 Northumberland Street in Edinburgh's New Town the son of Henrietta Sophia Brown and Robert Christison, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh. The house was then a new house, designed by Robert Reid and William Sibbald. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Professor Alexander Christison.
He was educated at Edinburgh Academy then studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He gained his doctorate (MD) in 1850 with a thesis on the medical uses of cannabis. In 1851, he obtained a post as assistant surgeon to the Honourable East India Company and served with the 4th Sikh Infantry in the Second Anglo-Burmese War 1852/53 winning a campaign medal and clasp.
He served with the 1st Cavalry 1855 to 1857 and accompanied Meade's Horse regiment at the Mutinies of Gwalior and Agra in 1858, again receiving a campaign medal and clasp. He then gave medical support to the 18th Bengal Infantry. Late in 1858 he was made superintendent of vaccination and lecturer in surgery at Agra Medical School. He rose to be Principal of the school in 1865 and also took on a role as Principal of Agra Lunatic Asylum. Still connected to the military by 1879 he was Surgeon General for the entire North-West Provinces.