Epilepsy has a fascinating history. To the medical historian Oswei Temkin it was ‘the paradigm of the suffering of both body and soul in disease’. It is justifiably considered a window on brain function. And yet its story is more than simply a medical narrative, but one influenced also by scientific, societal and personal themes. Written for a medical and non-medical readership, this book describes the major developments in epilepsy between 1860–2020, a turbulent era in which science dominated as an explanatory model, medical theories and practices steered an erratic course, and when societal attitudes and approaches to epilepsy fluctuated dramatically. In the middle of this maelstrom was the person with epilepsy at the mercy of social attitudes and legislation, and at times harmed as well as helped by medicine and science. So entangled is the history that intriguingly, as an entity, epilepsy may now be thought not even to exist.

• The definitive text on the history of epilepsy in the twentieth century

• Tackles the subject on a broad front – incorporating not only the medical features of epilepsy, but also the important scientific, societal and personal aspects

• Details the key episodes and paradigm shifts in the history of epilepsy to clearly show the direction of travel of epilepsy

• Covers those elements in history which have endured and those which have not, critically examining the theories and practices from the vantage point of the present day

Simon Shorvon is a Consultant Neurologist and Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurology. He qualified in medicine in 1973 and has practised ever since, spending 43 years working in the NHS. His clinical work has been based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and his academic work at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, both co-located in Queen Square London.

He has an active medico-legal practice, specialising in epilepsy, other central nervous system disorders, and brain injury.

His academic research in the field of epilepsy included work on epidemiology, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, magnetic resonance imaging, aetiology, status epilepticus and health service policy. He has also written extensively on the history of epilepsy and neurology.

His main interests outside medicine are in writing, printing, music, and in bibliography, the focus of the latter being in the British fine presses from the 1890s to the present day. He is a keen bibliophil, and was appointed to the Honorary position of Harveian Librarian at the Royal ColleSimon Shorvon is a Consultant Neurologist and Emeritus Professor of Clinical Neurology. He qualified in medicine in 1973 and has practised ever since, spending 43 years working in the NHS. His clinical work has been based at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and his academic work at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, both co-located in Queen Square London.

He has an active medico-legal practice, specialising in epilepsy, other central nervous system disorders, and brain injury.

His academic research in the field of epilepsy included work on epidemiology, clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, magnetic resonance imaging, aetiology, status epilepticus and health service policy. He has also written extensively on the history of epilepsy and neurology.

His main interests outside medicine are in writing, printing, music, and in bibliography, the focus of the latter being in the British fine presses from the 1890s to the present day. He is a keen bibliophil, and was appointed to the Honorary position of Harveian Librarian at the Royal College of Physicians between 2012-2016.

Website: simonshorvon.uk