Joseph Arthur Purdon was a member of the extensive Purdon family, many of whom achieved distinction in the medical profession in Ulster and beyond.

Purdon was a son of Dr Charles Nicholas Delacherois Purdon; and a brother of Dr Henry Samuel Purdon and of Dr Richard James Burdon. He was educated at Stramongate School, Kendal. He then studied medicine at Queen’s College, Belfast and the Carmichael School, Dublin, taking the Licence of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1883. In 1885 he took the Licence of the Kings and Queens College of Physicians of Ireland and, in the same year, the Licentiate of Midwifery. He was appointed Surgeon to the SS Biafra and in 1885 was Resident Surgeon and Physician to Belfast Union Workhouse. At this time he was also in general practice in Belfast, at Cherrington, Antrim Road then, 1890-1891, at Glenavon, also on the Antrim Road. 

In 1891 he emigrated to Bengal where he worked at Haila Kandy, Cachar District. From 1901 to 1906 he was Medial Officer and Public Vaccinator to Pinchbeck Union District, Spalding. In 1906 he returned to general practice at Eglantine Avenue, Belfast.

Born:	1861
Died:	1906