Alexander Thom (1775-1845): From Army Surgeon to Settlement Founder.

This paper examines the life of a 19th century medical practitioner and the impact he had on both people and society. Alexander Thom had a distinguished career as a surgeon in the British Army Medical Service before retiring to become one of the founding settlers and leaders of Perth, Ontario. There his half-pay retirement, land grants from being in the military and his medical practice enabled him to become a successful businessman-mill owner, justice of the peace, local politician and eventually district court judge. Like many doctors of his or any era, his contributions to society extended beyond his medical practice.