Early on in his career as a doctor, Henry Gray (c.1827-1861) showed a particular interest in anatomy. Aged just 20 he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
After the award of fellowships by the Royal Society and the Royal College of Surgeons, he was appointed house surgeon at St George's Hospital, London, and then lecturer in anatomy at its medical school.
Gray died tragically young at the age of 34, after contracting a severe form of smallpox.