The Lancet's enduring legacy: speaking truth to power

When Thomas Wakley founded The Lancet 200 years ago, the publication was labelled as “aggressive, offensive and radical” in science. 1 Harrison D All the Lancet's men: reactionary gentleman physicians vs radical general practitioners in the Lancet, 1823–1832. Nineteenth-Century Gender Stud. 2009; 5: 2 Google Scholar Speaking up against “incompetence, privilege, and nepotism” the journal inevitably caused controversy. Since then, while The Lancet has grown to be among the most celebrated and revered sources of scientific knowledge, it has stayed true to its roots with a commitment to equity and accountability.