THE life of a York-born physician will be celebrated with a special event from the University of York next month.

John Snow was born into poverty in the city on March 15, 1813, and became a physician, best known for his work on cholera, ether and chloroform, even administering the drug to Queen Victoria during the birth of two of her children.

To celebrate his legacy, the university’s department of health sciences will host a one-day conference at the Park Inn, in North Street, York. The event is free and open to the public.

Professor Hilary Graham, head of York’s department of health sciences, said: “Despite the fact that John Snow was born and educated in York, his connection to the city is often overlooked.”

Guest speakers include Dr Richard Barnett, of the Wellcome Trust and University College London; Dr Stephanie Snow, of the University of Manchester – a relative of John Snow by marriage – and Dr Andrew Hayward, of University College London.

Free tickets to The Legacy of John Snow are available at the Park Inn or at york.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/public-lectures/tickets/