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Alexander Skene

Alexander Johnston Chalmers Skene (June 17, 1837–July 4, 1900) was a Scottish gynecologist who described what became known as the Skene's glands.

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Skene was born in Fyvie, Scotland on June 17, 1837. At the age of 19, he went to America. He studied medicine in Toronto, then Michigan, and finally at the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn graduating in 1863. After a brief military service he entered private practice in Brooklyn and advanced to become Professor of Disease of Women at Long Island College Hospital.

Skene wrote over 100 medical articles and several textbooks. He contributed many surgical instruments and improved on surgical techniques. Primarily, he is remembered for his description of the Skene's glands at the floor of the urethra. He also described their infection - skenitis.

As a sculptor, Skene created a bust of J. Marion Sims, which is on display in the lobby of the Kings County Medical Society. A bust honoring him is located in Prospect Park Plaza (also known as Grand Army Plaza).

Skene died in his summerhouse in the Catskills, New York on July 4, 1900.

References

Chesley LC: The evolution of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Downstate 1860-1980.

1981.

Persondata
NAME	Skene, Alexander Johnston Chalmers
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Gynecologist
DATE OF BIRTH	June 17, 1837
PLACE OF BIRTH	Fyvie, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH	July 4, 1900
PLACE OF DEATH	Catskill Mountains, New York, United States of America