Pearson, Charles Yelverton (1857–1947), surgeon, was born 27 August 1857 at Kilworth, Co. Cork, fourth son of Dr William W. Pearson (d. c.1893), MD, and Anne Pearson (née Smith). He was educated at the Model School and Perrott's School, Cork, before entering QCC, where he won scholarships, prizes, and exhibitions, and graduated MD, M.Ch., and LM (QUI) with gold medal (1878).
He was appointed senior demonstrator and lecturer in anatomy (1878) before becoming professor of materia medica (1884–1900) and lecturer in medical jurisprudence (1884–1902) at QCC. As medico-legal adviser to the crown in criminal cases, he played a prominent part in the famous Coachford poisoning case, when on exhumation of the body of Dr Philip Cross's first wife, Pearson conducted the post-mortem and detected arsenic poisoning, evidence that was crucial in convicting Cross of his wife's murder (1887). Widespread interest led him to publish ‘The medico-legal aspects of the Coachford poisoning case’ (Dubl. Jn. Med. Sc., lxxxv (1 Mar. 1888), 212–39).
He took his fellowship (by examination) of the Royal College of Surgeons (Eng.) (1886); became one of Cork's leading operators, noted especially for bone surgery and skin grafting; and published Modern surgical technique in its relation to operations and wound treatment (1906) and many articles in professional journals. He served as assistant surgeon (1884) and surgeon (1886–1928) to the Cork North Charitable Infirmary and was an active member of its management committee. Appointed assistant physician (1884) and physician (1893), he subsequently became obstetric surgeon (1902–28) to the Cork Lying-in Hospital, also served on the medical staff (1891–1928), and was subsequently appointed hon. consulting medical officer (1928) and vice-president of the council (1928) of the Victoria Hospital for Women and Children.
Appointed professor of surgery (1900–28) at QCC, he described the ideal education for a modern surgeon in his inaugural address, ‘Surgery as a science and an art’ (Dubl. Jn. Med. Sc., cxi (Jan.–June. 1901), 12–22, 97–113), in which he welcomed modern scientific techniques but warned against the dangers of specialism. According to his colleague, Dr C. J. McSweeney, he ‘was in Cork the link between the pre-Listerian and the modern era of surgery’ (Cummins, 10). On his retirement, his colleagues founded the Pearson medal and he was made emeritus professor (1928–47) in recognition of his contribution to the college and to the medical school. A council member of QCC, he was elected surgical fellow (1903) of the RUI, and subsequently senator (1908) of NUI. In addition to his lucrative private practice from 1 Sydney Place, Cork, he was examiner in surgery to the Indian medical service (1912), and was made hon. surgeon to the king in Ireland (1916). Hon. secretary (1882), vice-president (1884), and president (1885) of the Cork Medico-Chirurgical Society, he was elected hon. permanent president and presided at the inaugural meeting (1933) of its successor, the Cork Clinical Society. Other distinctions included hon. life membership of the Austin Flint Medical Association of Iowa, USA (1900), and fellowship of RAMI, of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Gynaecological Association.
‘Small of stature, he had patrician features and a perfect mode of elocution’ (Cummins, 10). A popular and respected figure, he was a member of the Royal Cork Yacht Club and enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially fishing and shooting. He lived at Knockrea Park, Cork, where he died 13 May 1947. He married first (1881) Christiana Dorothea Tuckey; they had two sons and one daughter. After his first wife's death, he married (1924) Dr May Clemence Ferguson, MB (NUI, 1921), DPH, RCPS (Eng.) (1924); they had two daughters. William Pearson (qv) was his elder son; the younger son, Charles Broderick Pearson, MD, M.Ch., succeeded to his private and hospital practice; and a daughter, Veronica, graduated MB, B.Ch., BAO (NUI, 1948).