Bell, JOHN, an eminent surgeon, elder brother of Sir Charles, was born in Edinburgh, May 12, 1763. He studied under Black, Cullen, and Monro secundus; commenced in 1786 lecturing at Edinburgh on surgery and anatomy; and between 1793 and 1802 published his Anatomy. This was followed by a volume of anatomical drawings, illustrative of the structure of the bones, muscles, and joints, and another illustrative of the arteries.
In 1800 he published a Memorial concerning Military Surgery; his System of Anatomy (1793-95) was translated into German. Of his Principles of Surgery (1801-7) a new edition, by his brother, Sir Charles Bell, appeared in 1826. A long and bitter controversy with Dr Gregory as to the attendance of surgeons at the infirmary led to his exclusion from the same. A fall from his horse in 1816, and consequent ill-health, necessitated a visit to the Continent; and he died at Rome, April 15, 1820.