Russell Reynolds must have influenced Gowers’ decision to specialize in neurology. By 1868 he had already invited his conscientious and able student to contribute to his multi-authored text, A System of Medicine. Between 1864 and 1869, Reynolds had also been a physician at the National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic, Queen Square, and knew that the position of medical registrar was about to be created. Whether the new position also influenced Gowers’ choice or not, he committed himself to neurology with the same dedication he had shown when he was persuaded to become a medical...

Russell Reynolds must have influenced Gowers’ decision to specialize in neurology. By 1868 he had already invited his conscientious and able student to contribute to his multi-authored text, A System of Medicine. Between 1864 and 1869, Reynolds had also been a physician at the National Hospital for the Paralysed and Epileptic, Queen Square, and knew that the position of medical registrar was about to be created. Whether the new position also influenced Gowers’ choice or not, he committed himself to neurology with the same dedication he had shown when he was persuaded to become a medical apprentice and study for his London matriculation.