Dr. John Martin Littlejohn

Dr. John Martin Littlejohn was born in Glasgow Scotland on February 15th 1865. He entered university to study theology, the arts, Hebrew and oriental languages, however prior to graduation he left school to be ordained in the ministry of The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1886. In the year 1889 he returned to university where he received his masters of Arts degree, bachelor or divinity and a bachelor's degree in law.

Dr. Littlejohn moved to the northern part of Ireland following his education but due to chronic illness, which was worsened by the damp weather, he was urged to move to a drier climate. He moved to America in the year 1892, he was 27 years old at the time. Upon his arrival he enrolled at the University of Columbia where he studied political philosophy, political economy and finance. In 1893 he returned to Europe for a brief period to study medieval culture and then returned to Columbia University where he received his Ph.D. and became one of the youngest college presidents in the history of the United States. However, due to poor health he resigned his position in 1893.

Dr. Still's reputation regarding Osteopathy was flourishing across North America as people flooded into Kirksville for treatment and study. The news of this appealed to Dr. Littlejohn and encouraged him to journey into Kirksville where he received treatment for his chronic poor health. Through the approach of Osteopathy, Littlejohn was restored to good health and because of this he chose to take up the study under the tutelage of Dr. Still. As Littlejohn studied and received treatment, he became part of the faculty teaching physiology and was soon appointed Dean of Faculty and Professor of Physiology. Being a man of his intellect, Dr. Littlejohn looked beyond the structure of anatomy and saw the physiological perspective in a profound manner of osteopathic treatment. He insisted that "Physiology is the gateway by which this immense field of Osteopathy is to be entered".

Littlejohn graduated in 1900, and left the ASO to open the Chicago School of Osteopathy, where he spent more than 10 years in practice and administration; he furthered his education during this time and received his M.D. Degree at Dunham and Hering medical colleges.

In the year 1913 he returned to the UK in order to establish Osteopathic education. The British School of Osteopathy was opened in 1917 where he dedicated his life until his passing on December 8th 1947.34 Gradually, the original Osteopathic methods promoted and taught by Littlejohn had been largely replaced or forgotten, except for the devoted efforts of Mr. John Wernham, D.O. (1907-2007) and his personal writing and teaching efforts over the years through the JWCCO in Maidstone, England.