CHRISTISON, SIR ROBERT, BART. (1797-1882), Scot tish toxicologist and physician, was born in Edinburgh on July 18, 1797. He studied in London under John Abernethy and Sir William Lawrence, and in Paris, under P. J. Robiquet and M. J. B. Orfila. In 1822 he became professor of medical jurisprudence at Edinburgh. His Treatise on Poisons was published in 1829, and in 1829 he became medical officer to the Crown in Scotland, and from that time till 1866 he was called as a witness in many celebrated criminal cases, notably in the case of Burke and Hare (1829). Instructions drawn up by him for the examination of dead bodies for legal purposes became the accepted guide for the purpose. He may be said to have placed legal jurisprudence on a scientific basis. In 1832 he gave up the chair of medical jurisprudence for that of medicine and therapeutics, which he held till 1877. His work on the pathology of the kidneys and on fevers secured him a large private practice, and brought him many honours, including a baronetcy in 1871. Among his works are a treatise on Granular Degeneration of the Kidneys (1839) and a Commentary on the Pharmacopoeias of Great Britain (1842). Christison died at Edinburgh on Jan. 23, 1882.
The Life of Sir Robert Christison (1885-86), edited by his sons, contains his autobiography, with chapters on his work by Prof. Gairdner and T. R. Fraser.