Who are the most influential neurologists in history? Not an easy task as the starting field is rather wide. Creating a ‘top list‘ of anything is potentially controversial because there are often no clear inclusion criteria, and justifications are often subjective.

 

 

I was initially swayed by the length of Wikipedia entries but cautioned myself when I noticed that the piece on Raymond Adams was very brief. Furthermore, there was no entry at all for C David Marsden! Sacrilege, I thought. I felt strongly enough about this that I registered as a Wikipedia editor, and now there is a Wikipedia page for David Marsden.

Fame and celebrity are also significant influences on ‘top lists’. The debate that followed Gerald Stern‘s article, the world’s best known neurologist, shows the justifiable importance of fame, but I tried hard to discount ‘mere’ celebrity. By the way, Stern’s lecture on this subject is worth viewing.

Eponymous syndromes also tug at the heart, and I discovered that there is a book titled Neurological Eponyms. I have not read it, so I am unbiased in this regard. It is however difficult to avoid the influence of JMS Pearce who seems to have written on every neurology great!

To compose a credible list, I thought a set of criteria was essential and I guided myself with these:

• Volume, significance, and variety of contribution to neurology
• Influence on clinical practice
• Longevity of contribution
• Breaking new grounds
• Influence on other Neurology greats
• Receipt of a Nobel prize
• Lasting legacy in terms of books 

I have been liberal with the term ‘neurologist’ in the context of making this list. I have considered any specialist who has made a significant contribution to neurological knowledge and practice (how else would Alois Alzheimer get on the list?) Did I forget to mention-each name on the list is not living!

 

Here then is my list of The Top 30 Most Influential Neurologists with links to their Wikipedia entries:

1. Raymond ADAMS
2. Alois ALZHEIMER
3. Joseph BABINSKI
4. Charles BELL
5. Paul BROCA
6. Santiago Ramón y CAJAL
7. Jean-Martin CHARCOT
8. Macdonald CRITCHLEY
9. Guillaume DUCHENNE
10. Charles Miller FISHER
11. Nikolaus FRIEDREICH
12. Norman GESCHWIND
13. William Richard GOWERS
14. Anita HARDING
15. Gordon Morgan HOLMES
16. George HUNTINGTON
17. John Hughlings JACKSON
18. Gheorghe MARINESCU
19. Rita LEVI-MONTALCINI
20. Pierre MARIE
21. C David MARSDEN
22. H Houston MERRITT
23. Antonio Egas MONIZ
24. James PARKINSON
25. Arnold PICK
26. Heinrich Irenaeus QUINCKE
27. Charles Scott SHERRINGTON
28. Charles Putnam SYMONDS
29. Thomas WILLIS
30. Samuel Alexander Kinnier WILSON

 

 

There are however too many influential neurologists, and to do justice to more of them, here is The Neurology Lounge Top 100 Neurology Greats.

If you think there is a name that is not on this list, and you strongly feel that it should be, please let me know (but you must suggest which name on the list should be replaced!) And by the way, do you have a photo of C David Marsden for his Wikipedia entry?

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