Charles Bell was a Scottish surgeon and anatomist who pioneered neurophysiological research. Bell's experimental work served as a catalyst to other researchers in neurology and led to several important discoveries. Bell is remembered today for giving his name to Bell's palsy after demonstrating that lesions on the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve) can cause facial paralysis.

Born in Edinburgh, Charles Bell was the son of a clergyman and the younger brother of John Bell, an eminent surgeon and anatomist who first taught him anatomy. Charles Bell attended Edinburgh University and, after qualifying, became a surgeon at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in 1799. In 1804, he moved to London where he lectured and became the owner of an anatomy school. Bell rose to prominence as a surgeon and in 1812, was appointed surgeon at Middlesex Hospital.

In 1821, Bell demonstrated that the seventh cranial nerve was a separate nerve. In 1824, he became Professor of...