John, M.D., an eminent physician of Edinburgh, and most estimable man, was the son of the Rev. George Abercrombie of Aberdeen; in which city he was born in 1780.

Young Abercrombie received his elementary education at the grammar school of his native place, and his literary and philosophical education in Marischal College; but his medical studies were commenced at Edinburgh in 1800; where, after the usual academical curriculum, he obtained his degree of M.D. in 1803. Soon afterwards he went to London, and for about a year gave diligent attention to the medical practice and lectures in St George's Hospital. In 1804, Dr Abercrombie returned to Edinburgh, became a Fellow of the College of Surgeons, and commenced as general practitioner in that city; where, in dispensary and private practice, he laid the foundation of that character for sagacity as an observer of disease, and judgment in its treatment, that eventually elevated him to the head of his profession. He early began the laudable practice of preserving accurate notes of the cases that fell under his care; and at a period when pathological anatomy was far too little regarded by practitioners in this country, Abercrombie had the merit of sedulously pursuing it, and collecting a body of most important facts on the changes produced by disease on different organs; so that, before the year 1824, he had more extended experience, and more correct views in this interesting field, than most of his contemporaries engaged in extensive practice. From 1816 to 1824, he occasionally enriched the pages of the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal with various essays, that display originality and industry, particularly those "on the diseases of the spinal cord and brain," and "on diseases of the intestinal canal, of the pancreas, and spleen." The first of these subjects formed the basis of his great and very original Pathological and Practical Researches on Diseases of the Brain and Spinal Cord, which appeared at Edinburgh in 1828, and a second edition in 1830. This work is illustrated by interesting cases, and the admirable observations of the author. Besides these works, he contributed to the Journal "An Essay on the Pathology of Consumptive Diseases," "Observations on Ischuria Renalis," and to the Transactions of the Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Society a valuable paper "on Diseases of the Heart."

In 1823, he had become a Licentiate of the College of Physicians; in 1824 a fellow of that body; and from the death of Dr Gregory in 1822, Dr Abercrombie was considered as the first physician in Scotland. His practice was very extensive and lucrative; yet he found time for other speculations and occupations. In 1830, he published his Inquiries concerning the Intellectual Powers of Man, and the Investigation of Truth. This work, though far less original and profound than his medical speculations, contains a popular view of an interesting subject, and was very extensively read, from the simplicity of diction, and integrity of purpose. It was followed in 1833 by his Philosophy of the Moral Feelings, a sequel to the former, the object of which, Abercrombie stated in the preface, "was to divest the subject of all improbable speculations," and to show "the important relation which subsists between the science of mind and the doctrines of revealed religion." Though less profound even than the last, soon after its publication, the University of Oxford conferred on the author the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine; and in 1833 his first alma mater elected him its Lord Rector.

Dr Abercrombie continued in good health until 1841, when he suffered from an alarming irregularity in the circulation of his brain, which induced him to consider it as the forerunner of paralysis, for which he insisted on being profusely bled. This was followed by extreme debility, approaching to syncope; but he eventually recovered, after about a fortnight's illness, and continued his professional duties, until the 14th November 1844; when he was found on the floor of his room in a state of insensibility, and almost immediately expired. The examination of his body showed that the immediate cause of his death was a very uncommon disease of the heart—softening of its muscular substance, which induced a separation of the fibres of the left ventricle, with laceration of the coronary vessels, by which the pericardium was filled with blood.

In private life, Dr Abercrombie was much beloved by numerous friends, for the suavity and kindness of his manners, and esteemed by all for his well-directed talents and unaffected piety.