Richard Bright was a British physician who was the first to describe a form of the kidney disorder nephritis that used to be known as Bright's disease (see below). He graduated in Edinburgh in 1813 and became a physician at Guy's Hospital, London, in 1820.

 

Bright's disease

Bright's disease is a term used historically to describe a form of acute nephritis that may follow infection with certain streptococcus types. Blood and protein are lost in the urine; there may be edema and raised blood pressure. Recovery from it is usually complete but a few patients progress to chronic kidney disease.