Pepper.] 525 [Nov. 21, 



creased quite rapidly, and for many years before bis deatb was among tlie 

 largest and most lucrative in London. Tbe professional bonors wbicb he re- 

 ceived were numerous and distinguisbed. In 1833 be was made a Fellow 

 of tbe Eoyal Society; in 1837 aFellow of tbe Royal College of Pbysicians; in 

 1838 be was Gulstonian Lecturer ; in 1841, 1842, and 1861 be was Censor 

 of tbe College ; Croonian Lecturer in 1844, 1845, 1846 ; seven times Coun- 

 cillor between 1844 and 1833 ; Lumleian Lecturer in 1854 and 1855 ; and 

 Harveian orator in 1857 ; in 1853 be was elected President of tbe Royal 

 Medico-Cbirurgical Society. He was also bonored by being made a mem- 

 ber of many learned societies out of England ; and in Jan. 17, 1845, was 

 elected a member of tbe American Philosopbical Society at Pbiladelpbia. 



Despite, bowever, tbe arduous practical duties of bis profession be was 

 indefatigable in literary lalors. He edited tbe "London Medical Re- 

 pository" for five years from 1822 to 1827, and contributed to it a vast 

 number of articles He also edited Ricberard's Pbysiology in 1824; con- 

 tributed notes to Griffith's translation of Cuvier's "Animal Kingdom ;" 

 assisted in tbe preparation of Annesely's magnificent work on tbe Diseases 

 of India, to sucb an extent tbat it is stated by one well informed tbat be 

 may be considered its author. His occasional articles are too numerous 

 to mention, but tbe great work of bis life was bis colossal "Dictionary of 

 Practical Medicine." The idea of such an enterprise occupied his atten- 

 tion as early as 1827, and be then issued a prospectus of a plan for bring- 

 ing out an " Encyclopedial Dictionary of Medical Science." The un- 

 dertaking was not accepted by the publishers, however, though they 

 sub,?equently entered into an arrangement with Drs. Forbes, Conolly, and 

 Tweedie, which resulted in the publication of an excellent Medical En- 

 cyclopedia. 



Copland was not to be thus thwarted in his plan, and accordingly in 

 1830 be began, single-handed and unaided, the task of writing a similar 

 work. The first part of this truly great work appeared in 1832, and others 

 followed in regular succession, so tbat tbe greater part of it was published 

 in the first three years, though tbe last two parts composing the Dictionary 

 did not make their appearance until 1860, twenty-eight years after tbe first 

 part. The entire work comprises about 7,000 closely printed double- 

 columned royal octavo pages. Tbe success of this publication was imme- 

 diate and marked. Over 10,000 copies of the English edition were sold, it 

 was reprinted in America and translated into German. It has also been 

 reissued in an abridged form under the editorship of his nephew, Mr. 

 James C. Copland. Ic is no exaggeration to say that but few 

 more colossal literary works have ever been achieved by any au- 

 thor. Tbe number and variety of tbe articles are only equaled 

 by the profound erudition and great practical knowledge which 

 they evince, and tbe vigor and clearness of the style in which they 

 are composed. One of tbe most important features of the work, and 

 wbicb has endeared it to every true medical student, is the copious and 

 exhaustive Bibliography appended to every article in the Dictionary. 

 In tbe preparation of these Bibliographic lists, tbe acquirements and wide 

 range of re ading of Copland are conspicuous. Tbe work has served as a 



