David Rawlings is a physician.
Personal History
David and his identical twin brother Daniel Rawlings both trained as physicians. Their father, also a physician, gifted his sons with identical medical chests when they took up their practice.[1]
Outlander series
An Echo in the Bone
In September of 1777, David Rawlings is in New York, acting as a surgeon for the British army. After the battle of Bennington, he is occupied in treating various injured patients, including senior officer Brigadier General Simon Fraser.
By sheer chance, he runs into Claire Fraser, who tells him that she knows a Dr. Daniel Rawlings. He has not heard from his twin brother in years, and anxiously asks Claire about him. Claire tells David Rawlings, regretfully, that his brother Daniel is dead, and gives him a page from Daniel's medical journal. Claire also promises that to tell Dr. Rawlings the entire story, if he can get away from the British camp to speak privately.[2]
A few days later, Dr. Rawlings slips away and listens as Claire recounts the story of Daniel's accidental involvement with the Frenchman's gold and his eventual murder. He is heartbroken, but seems gratified to hear the depth of Claire's professional respect for his brother, despite never meeting him.
He and Claire discuss other medical matters and he shows Claire some of his more unusual medical tools, including a trap-like device designed to prevent nocturnal tumescence.[1]
Personality
He is friendly and gracious to Claire, despite his grief over his brother's death.
Physical Appearance
He is a twin.
Name
- David is from the Hebrew name דָּוִד (Dawid), which was derived from Hebrew דּוֹד (dod) meaning "beloved" or "uncle".[3]
- Rawlings comes from an Old Norse name composed of the Germanic elements rad, "counsel, advice," with wolf, "wolf."[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 An Echo in the Bone, chapter 67.
- ↑ An Echo in the Bone, chapter 66.
- ↑ Behind the Name: David. Accessed 2 September 2019.
- ↑ Surname Database: Rawlings. Accessed 17 August 2017.