Home > William Bowman

Sir Bowman left Birmingham in 1837 to further his training as a surgeon and attended King's College, London, where he served as a prosector under Robert Bentley Todd , a professor of physiology. At a young age of 25, he identified what then became known as the Bowman's capsule, a key component of the nephron. He presented his findings in 1842 in his paper "On the Structure and Use of the Malpighian BodiesThere are at least two anatomical structures called a Malpighian corpuscle . They are also known as: Renal corpuscles — the initial filtering component of nephrons in the kidneys White Nodules — follicles in the white pulp of the spleen, containing many l of the KidneyThe kidneys are bean-shaped excretory organs in vertebrates. Part of the urinary system, the kidneys filter wastes (especially urea) from the blood and excrete them, along with water, as urine. The medical field that studies the kidneys and diseases affec" to the Royal SocietyThe Royal Society of London is claimed to be the oldest learned society still in existence and was founded in 1660. The Royal Irish Academy, founded in 1782, is also closely affiliated with it. The Royal Society of Edinburgh (founded 1783) is a separate S and was awarded the Royal Medal. His collaboration with Todd led to the publication of the five-volume "Physiological Anatomy and Physiology of Man" ( 1843Events February 6 The first minstrel show in the United States The Virginia Minstrels opens (Bowery Amphitheatre in New York City). February 11 Giuseppe Verdi's opera I Lombardi premieres in Milan May 18 The Disruption of the Church of Scotland took place- 1856Events January 8 Borax is discovered ( John Veatch). January 29 Queen Victoria institutes the Victoria Cross February 18 The American Party ( Know-Nothings) convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to nominate their first Presidential candidate, former Presi) and "Cyclopaedia of Anatomy and Physiology" ( 1852Events January 14 President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte proclaims a new constitution for the French Second Republic. January 17 United Kingdom recognizes independence of the Transvaal Devil's Island penal colony opens February 11 First British public toilet), which detailed their research on microscopy and histology, relating minute anatomical observations to physiological functions. Their extensive use of the microscopes revolutionized the study of anatomy and physiology. Apart from the Bowman's capsule, other anatomical structures named after him include:

• Bowman's glands — in the olfactory mucosaThe olfactory mucosa is an organ made up of the olfactory epithelium and the mucosa, or mucus secreting glands, behind the epithelium. The mucus protects the olfactory epithelium and allows odors to dissolve so that they can be detected by olfactory recep
• Bowman's membraneThe Bowman's membrane is a smooth layer in the eye. It is located between the front epithelium and the stroma in the cornea. It is composed of strong collagen fibers and helps the cornea maintain its shape. If the Bowman's membrane is damaged, scarring wo — the anterior limiting membrane in the cornea

After completing his surgical training in 1844, Sir Bowman practised as an ophthalmologist at the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital (later known as Moorfields Eye Hospital). Between 1848 and 1855, he also taught at King's College. In 1880, he founded the "Ophthalmological Society", which later became the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

In 1884, Queen Victoria knighted him as a baronet. He died at his house, Joldwynds, near Dorking, in Surrey in 1892.