Ramsay Hunt syndrome is named for Dr. James Ramsay Hunt.

Born in Philadelphia in 1872, Dr James Ramsay Hunt qualified as an MD at the age of 21 at the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to Europe to continue his studies in Paris, Vienna and finally Berlin until returning to America as a neurologist at Cornell University Medical School from 1900-1910.

In 1907, he observed a number of curious conditions which presented with facial paralysis plus classic 8th nerve symptoms including otalgia, hearing loss, tinnitus, vesicular rash (pinna and ear canal), vertigo, dizziness, loss of balance, vomiting, and nystagmus. He proposed that this previously unrecognised illness was caused by an infection of the geniculate ganglion which runs in close proximity to the vestibulocochlear nerve along the narrow facial canal.

His published analysis of clinical variations of the syndrome led to it being identified by his name.

Besides his work as a consultant he carried out major research on the anatomy and disorders of the corpus striatum and the extra-pyramidal system.

He was on the faculty of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in 1911-13 and again from 1924 onwards. He was Consulting Neurologist and Senior Attending Neurologist at the Neurological Institute of New York from c.1914 to 1937.

Please note that Dr Ramsay Hunt lent his name to at least three unconnected conditions.