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BEATSON, GEORGE STEWARD, M. D. (d. 1874), surgeon-general, graduated in arts and medicine at Glasgow, where he took the degree of M. D. in 1836. In 1888 he joined the army medical department, and did duty on the staff in Ceylon from 1839 to 1851. He was surgeon to the 51st foot in the second Burmese war, and subsequently served in Turkey during the Crimean war, where he rendered valuable services in the organisation of the hospitals at Smyrna. After serving as deputy inspector-general in the Ionian islands and Madras, he became surgeon-general in 1863, and was appointed principal medical officer of European troops in India, an appointment which he held for the customary five years. For the next three years he was in medical charge of the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley; and in 1871 was appointed principal medical officer in India for the second time. He was appointed a C.B. in 1869. He died suddenly at Simla on 7 June 1874. Beatson, who was an honorary physician to the queen, was accounted one of the ablest officers in the army medical service, but it is in the records of the deportment, at home and in India, rather than in professional literature, that his labours will be noticed. Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. 2, p. 21.

Surgeon who pioneered a new treatment for breast cancer and has thus been called "the father of endocrine ablation in cancer management."

He entered the service of the Honourable East India Company in the year 1843, and was posted to the Bengal Presidency. He served with the army of the Sutlej in 1845, taking part in the defence of Ferozepore and the battle of Ferozeshah, for which he obtained a medal and clasp. He also served in the Punjab campaign, being present at various actions, and was decorated with a second medal at its close. During the Mutiny he held the responsible appointment of Chief Surgeon of the Allahabad Field Hospital, in which he rendered most efficient service. He subsequently filled the office of Garrison Surgeon at Allahabad, and was appointed Medical Storekeeper at Umballa. On his promotions to the rank of Deputy-Surgeon-General he was posted to the Meerut Circle, in which he completed the usual tour of service in that capacity. In 1875 he was selected to succeed Surgeon-General Sir John Campbell Brown, K.C.B., as head of the Bengal Medical Service, and, after five years' tenure of that post, he retired in 1880, having completed a service of thirty-seven years.
Dr. Beatson was a man of strong physique, distinguished appearance, and great ability. He possessed a high sense of honour and duty, and was endowed with great energy, strong clear, rapid judgment, much force of character, and firm, accurate grasp of detail. He was a sound physician and surgeon, and a most competent administrator. He was gifted with a keen perception and very retentive memory. His rule of men was strict, but just and generous, and his influence throughout the service was salutary and stimulating.
During his term of office he rendered valuable aid to the Government of India in arranging for medical relief measures in connection with the Madras Famine of 1877-78. Although he did not devote himself to research or contribute to medical literature, he kept himself fully au courant with medical science, and was always ready to encourage and commend good work and promote medical and sanitary progress.
His death, which was somewhat sudden and unexpected, has been the occasion of deep regret to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, to whom he endeared himself by the genuineness and warmth of his friendship and the kindliness of his disposition. The British Medical Journal, 13 August 1898, pp. 451-52.