ABSTRACT
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895) was an anatomist and a supporter of Darwin’s theory of evolution. He had a strong influence on the modernisation of medical curricula in the nineteenth century. He was one of the first medical teachers to realise the importance of medical students learning how to learn: ‘…and I am quite sure a very considerable number of young men spend a large portion of their first session simply learning how to learn in a fashion that is entirely new to them’ ( 2 ). Huxley was also forthright about what he saw as the primary purpose of education: ‘Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not’ ( 3 ). Huxley’s knowledge, teaching skills and values were to attract students of the highest calibre. His students included William Rutherford, E. Ray Lankester, Michael Foster and William Flower.
