I. In memoriam, Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., D.C.L. II. Sturges lecture for 1897 / by George Cowell.

  • Cowell, George, 1836-1927.
Date:
[1897]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: I. In memoriam, Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., D.C.L. II. Sturges lecture for 1897 / by George Cowell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Another important service rendered by him to British enterprise abroad was as the first chairman of the British North Borneo Company, in the formation of which he had taken, much interest. This long list of active work and merited honours shows at once the breadth and versatility of Sir Rutherford Alcock’s benevolent usefulness, his wide sympathies, and the deserv- ing regard in which he was held. That he was held in high estimation and by the highest in the land is well shown by the fact that when the. Queen determined to decorate some chosen deserving nurses in commemoration of her jubilee, attaching them to the old Royal Foundation of St. Katherine’s Hospital, Her Majesty applied to Sir Ruther- ford Alcock to draw up the regulations and rules to guide the selection. This service Sir Rutherford was proud to undertake, only requesting permission to associate with himself for this purpose Sir James Paget and the Duke of Westminster. It is according to the rules drawn up by these three distinguished men that “The Queens Jubilee Nurses” are from year to year appointed. There only remains in conclusion to sum up the qualities which conduced to this very remarkable and highly success- ful career. There cannot be a doubt that Sir Rutherford Alcock possessed, in a high degree, all those characteristics which are essential to success in a public man ability and energy, perseverance and the faculty of taking pains, coin- age and determination, pugnacity and a conspicuous courtesy and generosity, and last, but not least, a readiness to accept responsibility. It is the men who are thus endowed that are the real benefactors of the human race, and who as makers of history most advantageously serve their country. The combination of all these qualities is rare, and we must the more regret the departure from amongst us of one who possessed them all. The Medical School of Westminster will do itself honour if it permanently attaches the name of the most distinguished pupil of the Westminster Hospita to one of its scholarships.