City: Memphis
SINCLAIR, Alexander Grant, physician; born Charlottenburgh, Glengary Co., Ontario, Canada, July 30, 1842; son of Archibald and Mary (Grant) SINCLAIR; his father was the second son of Peter SINCLAIR of Perthshire, Scotland, who became a resident of Canada in 1800; his paternal grandmother was prior to her marriage Ann McINTYRE, daughter of Archibald McINTYRE, of Kenmore, Scotland; the family is a branch of the Sinclairs of Caithness, and of Norman extraction through William SINCLAIR, a kinsman of William, the Conqueror, and an officer in the War of Conquest; his mother was the daughter of Peter GRANT, who served with the British forces in the War of 1812; he was educated in the common and grammar schools of Dominion of Canada, and under private tutors abroad, his studies included Latin, French, German, English, mathematics and natural philosophy; he began the study of medicine in 1866 as the private student of Dr. Samuel Campbell of Ontario; attended lectures medical department University of Michigan 1866-1867, taking a course of analytical chemistry the following spring; in 1867 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of N. Y., graduating in 1869 with degree M. D.; after competitive examination became resident surgeon of the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, where he remained from April 1, 1869, to Jan. 29, 1872; from Jan. 29, 1872, to Sept., 1873, he pursued his professional studies in Europe, principally in Vienna; in 1873 he settled in Detroit, Mich., and engaged in the practice of medicine, devoting himself exclusively to disease of the eye, ear, and throat; was opthalmic and aural surgeon to Harper Hospital (Detroit) 1876-1879; he came to Memphis in 1880 and became professor of ophthalmology and otology in the Memphis Hospital Medical College; in 1883 larnyngology was added to his chair and hygiene in 1898; he also held the chair of materia medica 1883-1885; he was secretary of the faculty 1883-1884 and dean of the faculty 1884-1886; in 1890 he again became secretary of the faculty; he has been ophtalmic and aural surgeon St. Joseph’s Hospital since 1889; since 1892 laryngologist of the institution; since 1890 he has been ophthalmic and aural surgeon St. Peter’s Orphan Asylum, and has also since 1890 held the office of United States special examining surgeon, etc.; he originated the movement for the extension of the time of medical college attendants to four years; he is the author of editorials, addresses, translations from the French and German, articles for medical journals, and has read many papers before various medical societies, he is a member of the American Medical Assn., the American Assn. for the Advancement of Science, Tenn. State Medical Assn.; the Medical and Surgical Assn., of West Tenn.; Tri-State Medical Assn., the Shelby County Medical Society; in 1896 he was vice-president of the American Medical Editors’ Assn.; member of the Tennessee club; director and vice-president Continental Savings Bank, Memphis, Tenn.; member of the Baptist church; in 1901 the honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by the Arkansas Normal College; he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in Memphis since 1880.
Source: Who’s Who in Tennessee: A Biographical Reference Book of Notable Tennesseans of To-Day. Memphis: Paul & Douglas Co, 1911.
