Simpson joined the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1849, and became its vice-president in 1860.
He made contributions to both the history of medicine and to archaeology.
He published several papers on leprosy and syphilis.
In both cases he was concerned with the symptoms of the diseases and the relation between historical reports and contemporary cases, and also with the institutions that were set up to care for and segregate the patients.
Another area he worked on was medicine in Roman Britain
Simpson published an early and important work on prehistoric rock art Archaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, &c. Upon Stones and Rocks in Scotland, England, & Other Countries.
Simpson listed and categorized examples of sculpturings from many parts of the British Isles, often from personal examination, and also included examples from other countries for comparison.
Many illustrations are provided.
After Simpson's death, a collection of his antiquarian essays was published in two volumes
Simpson joined the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1849, and became its vice-president in 1860. He made contributions to both the history of medicine and to archaeology. He published several papers on leprosy and syphilis. In both cases he was concerned with the symptoms of the diseases and the relation between historical reports and contemporary cases, and also with the institutions that were set up to care for and segregate the patients. Another area he worked on was medicine in Roman Britain
Simpson published an early and important work on prehistoric rock art Archaic Sculpturings of Cups, Circles, &c. Upon Stones and Rocks in Scotland, England, & Other Countries. Simpson listed and categorized examples of sculpturings from many parts of the British Isles, often from personal examination, and also included examples from other countries for comparison. Many illustrations are provided. After Simpson's death, a collection of his antiquarian essays was published in two volumes
James Young Simpson