Who was James Parkinson?

Parkinson’s disease is named after Dr James Parkinson, an English physician born on 11 April 1755 in London and who passed away on 21 December 1824. He was the first to describe the symptoms of this then-unknown disease in his groundbreaking work An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, published in 1817. In this essay, he noted that the disease develops slowly and progressively, without a clearly recognisable onset. He also observed that patients often experience a sense of weakness and trembling in one or both hands even before visible symptoms appear.

Virtual James Parkinson

On 30 April 2025, Virtual James Parkinson was introduced: a digital, AI-powered version of Dr James Parkinson, designed to answer modern-day questions about the disease. This virtual assistant is based on historical images and knowledge of Dr Parkinson, allowing visitors to learn more about the disease and its discoverer in an accessible way.

World Parkinson’s Day

Every year on 11 April, the birthday of James Parkinson, extra attention is given to Parkinson’s disease worldwide on World Parkinson’s Day. On this day, patients, researchers and healthcare professionals reflect on the impact of the disease and the progress being made in research and treatment.

The discoverer of Parkinson’s disease

Although James Parkinson is best known as a physician, he was also active as a geologist, scientist and social activist. He co-founded scientific societies and wrote manuals on chemistry and geology. His commitment to social reform is evident from his involvement in political societies, including the London Corresponding Society for Reform of Parliamentary Representation.

Essay on the Shaking Palsy

In An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, Parkinson described six cases of what he called “shaking palsy”: three patients from his own practice and three individuals he observed on the street. “Shaking” refers to the characteristic tremor, while “palsy” indicates muscle weakness or paralysis. Although earlier physicians, such as the Greek Galen, had also reported similar symptoms, Parkinson’s account was so detailed that it inspired other doctors to pursue further research. It was not until decades later, around 1872, that the condition was officially named after him by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.

Family and Career

James Parkinson was the son of John and Mary Parkinson. His father was a surgeon and apothecary, which inspired James to pursue a medical career. In 1783, he married Mary Dale; together they had six children. After his father’s death, James took over the practice and combined his work as a physician with research in areas such as chemistry, geology and palaeontology. He also published pamphlets under the pseudonym ‘Old Hubert’ and advocated for civil rights and social reforms.

Death and Legacy

In 1824, Parkinson suffered a stroke that left him paralysed on the right side of his body and unable to speak. He died at the age of 69 in London. His birthday is commemorated worldwide as World Parkinson’s Day.

Note: Multiple individuals named James Parkinson

It is important to note that throughout history, there have been multiple individuals named James Parkinson. The James Parkinson after whom the disease is named was the English physician born in 1755. Other people with the same name have been active in various fields, but they have no direct connection to Parkinson’s disease. To avoid confusion, always refer to Dr James Parkinson (1755–1824) in a medical context.