Isaac Milburn the Northumbrian Bonesetter [1794-1886]

From gamekeeper at Wallington Hall to Royal bonesetter.

His amazing life story. Whisky smuggling, poaching and a gunpowder plot. A controversial figure in the world of medicine.



This book tells the incredible story of Isaac Milburn from his humble beginnings as a gamekeeper in rural Northumberland to a royal summons. As a gamekeeper he taught himself the art of bonesetting on live and dead rabbits. His fame spread and Queen Victoria summoned him to heal her injured daughter Beatrice, for which she presented him with a gold watch in thanks.



An archive of images, case studies and maps in the book illustrates his life from his early days at Wallington Hall which saw him successfully mend the broken leg of a horse which the owner had wanted destroyed. Unwittingly the owner bought back the horse at auction as it reminded him of the horse he thought he had lost. Isaac Milburn subsequently moved to Longframlington, then Longhoughton, to start life as a full-time bonesetter and his travels took him to such places as Tweedmouth, Alnwick, Morpeth and Newcastle to treat patients.