James Law

Born in Edinburgh on February 13, 1838, James Law trained in veterinary medicine in Scotland and continued his studies in France before beginning a long academic career. In 1868 he joined the original faculty at Cornell University, becoming the first professor of veterinary science at an American university.

At Cornell, he played a central role in shaping veterinary education in the United States and later helped found what became the New York State Veterinary College. He was known not only as a teacher but also as a public educator who wrote and lectured on animal disease, livestock care, and agricultural science.

Law also wrote substantial professional works, including Text-Book of Veterinary Medicine, which helped spread veterinary knowledge at a time when the field was becoming more scientific and organized. He died on May 10, 1921, leaving a lasting mark on American veterinary medicine.