Simon, John (1816–1904)

English surgeon and public health reformer who cleaned up the City of London in the 19th century. The eight annual reports that Simon presented to the Corporation of London are the most famous health reports ever written. They embody an incredible record of success, and years later legislation was based on them, culminating in the great Public Health Act of 1875.

Simon was the first sanitary inspector appointed by the Corporation of London in 1848. During the eight years that Simon was responsible for the City of London, he completely transformed the general amenities of the area. Cesspools were entirely abolished for rich and poor in the square mile of London, although for a long period afterwards they remained common in the residential areas of the rich. Simon had a great influence on the construction of the sewage system of London. He also arranged with the General Registrar to visit the houses of all those who had died in order to take measures to contain infectious diseases.