Charles Aldis

Sir Charles Aldis (c. 1775 – 28 March 1863) was an English surgeon. His son, Charles James Berridge Aldis, was also a physician.

Aldis was born in 1775 or 1776 in Norfolk. He was the son of Daniel Aldis, a medical practitioner. He came to London in 1794 and studied at Guy's and Bartholomew's Hospitals. In 1797 or 1798 he was made surgeon to the sick and wounded prisoners of war at Norman Cross barracks, Huntingdonshire (where from 10,000 to 12,000 French and Dutch prisoners were then detained). In 1800 he moved to Hertford, where he introduced vaccination into three parishes in spite of opposition from the doctors, but in 1802 began to practise in London, and in 1803 became a member of the College of Surgeons. He was surgeon to the New Finsbury Dispensary, and founded a special hospital, called the Glandular Institution for the Cure of Cancer, in Clifford Street. Charles Aldis was known as an antiquary as well as a surgeon, and was knighted by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, though whether for any special services does not appear. He died on 28 March 1863.

He wrote: ‘Observations on the Nature and Treatment of Glandular Diseases, especially those denominated Cancer,’ pp. 116, London, 1820, 8vo, and subsequently; also papers in ‘Defence of Vaccination,’ &c.; an ‘Essay on the too frequent Use of the Trephine;’ on the ‘British System of Education;’ and many articles in periodicals.