Jean-Baptiste Leschevin (1732-1788)

Jean-Baptiste André Leschevin was born on July 4, 1732 in Etocquigny in the old parish of Auberville -sur-Yères, merged since 1822 with the village of Saint-Martin-le-Gaillard (district of Dieppe). Son, grandson, great grandson of surgeons, He moved to Rouen and became a student of Claude Nicolas Le Cat, famous surgeon at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital. In 1755, he was promoted surgeon at the General Hospital of Rouen in the department of the able-bodied poor, ten years later he was admitted at the college of surgeons in Rouen and in 1764 he was also associated with the Royal academy of Rouen. He lived and spent his entire career at the General Hospital caring for the unfortunates and the soldiers. He died on March 8, 1788 and was buried in the cemetery of his hospital.

His epitaph is still kept in the chapel of Charles Nicolle Hospital; it reads:

“Here lies Jean-Baptiste André LESCHEVIN

Surgeon emeritus of this hospital

As much esteemed for his virtues

as deeply regretted for his rare talents

he ceased his life on March 8, 1788 at the age of 55 years and 8 months.

After having worked 32 years for the poor in this house

May his soul rests in peace.”

Jean-Baptiste Leschevin left two writings published in 1764: “Memoir on the theory and the treatment of ear disease” which won the prize of the Royal Academy of Surgery of Paris in 1763 and “memoir on the cure of abscesses”.