Sir Joseph Fayrer

Sir Joseph Fayrer (1824-1907) was a surgeon and physician who in 1850 left England for Calcutta to become assistant surgeon in Bengal. His connection with the Indian Medical Service (IMS) lasted for forty-five years, half of it in England. Fayrer was a prolific writer on Indian climatology, the pathology of Indian diseases, sanitation, and above all on venomous snakes. The Thanatophidia of India is a classic contribution to the literature of snakes and snakebites. Printed by the Indian government it was illustrated with spectacular coloured plates from life by members of the Calcutta School of Art.