Dr. Abraham Colles is most famous for his description of Colles’ fracture of the wrist, for which the Museum of Health Care has many splints.

Born near Kilkenny, Ireland in 1773, he first became interested in medicine when a flood destroyed the home of a nearby doctor and washed an anatomy book towards his home. He returned the book to the doctor, who allowed him to keep it.

In 1802, he became president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland when he was only twenty-eight years old. In 1804, he became a Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgery to the College of Surgeons. He held numerous other positions and worked with many charitable hospitals and health care organizations over his career.⁠ … More The Story of Dr. Abraham Colles and his Fracture