David Ferrier

Ferrier wanted also to test Jackson's idea that epilepsy had a cortical origin as it was suggested by his clinical observations. Working under good material conditions and having an abundance of animals for experimentation (mainly rabbits guinea pigs and dogs) Ferrier started his experiments in 1873 examining experimental lesions and electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex. Coincidently Ferrier had received a proposal to direct the laboratory of experimental neurology at the West Riding Lunatic Asylum a psychiatric hospital located in Yorkshire.

Sir David Ferrier FRS (13 January 1843 – 19 March 1928) was a pioneering Scottish neurologist and psychologist.