# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cline, Henry

​CLINE, HENRY (1750–1827), surgeon, born in London in 1750, was educated at Merchant Taylors' School. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to Mr. Thomas Smith, one of the surgeons to St. Thomas's Hospital, and before the close of his apprenticeship he frequently lectured for Else, then lecturer on anatomy. On 2 June 1774 Cline obtained his diploma from Surgeons' Hall. In the same year he attended a course of John Hunter's lectures, and was much influenced by them. In 1775 Cline took a house in Devonshire Street, and married Miss Webb, lecturing on the day of his marriage. When Else died in 1781, Cline bought his preparations from his executors, and was appointed to lecture on anatomy. Three years after, on the death of his old master Smith, ​Cline succeeded him in the surgeoncy of St. Thomas's. After a residence of some years in St. Mary Axe, he removed in 1796 to Lincoln's Inn Fields, where he remained during the rest of his life.
In 1796 Cline was elected a member of the court of assistants of the Surgeons' Company; but his election having taken place at a meeting when neither of the two governors was present (one having just died), was found to have voided the act of incorporation. After failure of a bill to legalise the surgeons' proceedings, in 1800 they were incorporated by charter as the Royal College of Surgeons, the old municipal privileges being given up.
In 1808 Cline bought some land at Bound's Green in Essex, and visited it regularly, becoming greatly interested in agriculture, and losing much time and money in its pursuit, according to Sir Astley Cooper, his pupil. When he was sixty years old his practice brought him about 10,000l. per annum; but it was Cooper's opinion that, it would have been much more had he not been so fond of politics and farming. In 1810 Cline became an examiner at the College of Surgeons, and in the following year resigned his appointments at St. Thomas's. His pupils subscribed for a bust by Chantrey, which was placed in St. Thomas's Museum. In 1816 he became master of the Collage of Surgeons, and in the following year (also in 1824) delivered the Hunterian oration (never published). In 1823 Cline was president of the college, the title having been changed from that of master in 1821. He died on 2 Jan. 1827.
The 'Gentleman's Magazine' (January 1827, p. 90) says of Cline: 'He was a person who would have distinguished himself whatever had been his situation and calling. His strong intellect, his self-determination, his steady adherence to his purpose, and his consummate prudence would have insured him success in any career of honourable ambition.' He was a cautious, sound, and successful surgeon, an excellent lecturer, but somewhat deficient, according to Cooper, in industry and professional seal. In temper he was mild, equable, and reserved. He had a great personal courage. His family were devoted to him and he to them. Sir Astley characterises him 'as a friend, sincere but not active; as an enemy, most inveterate' (Life of Sir A. Cooper, i. 99), but gives no details under the latter head. Probably this remark was tinctured by Sir Astley's withdrawal from Cline's political associates in order to obtain the Guy's surgeoncy. Cline was a devoted adherent of Horne Tooke, attending him professionally when at the Tower, and afterwards in his last illness. For many years he gave an anniversary dinner to Tooke's friends and supporters at his own house, in commemoration of Tooke's acquittal. He was also a friend of John Thelwall, and showed him great kindness. He was much in favour of the French revolution, and by his influence with leading men in Paris secured Astley Cooper's safety during a three months' residence there in 1792. Cline thought there was a cause superior to man, but believed that nothing was known of the future. 'His character,' says Sir Astley Cooper, 'was that of Washington; he would have devoted himself to what he considered the advantage of his country, and surrendered whatever distinction he might have attained when he had accomplished his object.' Apparently his only publication was a small brochure on the 'Form of Animals,' 4to, 1805; twice reprinted, 1808 and 1829.
Cline was succeeded in the surgeoncy to St.Thomas's and in the lectures upon anatomy and surgery by his son Henry Cline, a man of considerable ability, who died on 27 May 1820 of phthisis (see Memorials of J. F. South, p. 34, &c.)
[Gent. Mag. January 1827, p. 90; B. B. Cooper's Life of Sir Astley Cooper, 1843, references in many places; Felto's Memorials of J. F. South, 1884, pp. 108-208; Thelwall's letter to Cline, on imperfect developments of the faculties, 1810; Life of Thelwall, by his widow, 1837.]
G. T. B.