GB 0114 MS0036 - Allen, Benjamin (1663-1738)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0114 MS0036

Title

Allen, Benjamin (1663-1738)

Date(s)

  • 1710-1723 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

2 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

Benjamin Allen was born in Somerset in 1663. He was educated at St Pauls School and then Queen's College, Cambridge. He established a medical practice in Braintree, Essex in c 1688. He was a friend of John Ray (1627-1705), an eminent naturalist in Essex. Allen's first paper On the Manner of Generation of Eels was published by the Royal Society in 1698. He eventually published several naturalist and scientific papers. He died in 1738.

Archival history

The commonplace book titled Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) was once in the possession of the Reverend J W Kenworthy, vicar of Braintree and member of the Essex Field Club, who had purchased it from Mr Golding of Colchester in 1887. The commonplace book titled Praxis Medica. Medical observations towards a knowledge and cure of diseases (1710) was purchased by Mr John Avery, Vice-President of the Essex Field Club, from Mssrs Hodgson and Co of Chancery Lane in Jul 1911.

GB 0114 MS0036 1710-1723 Collection (fonds) 2 boxes Allen , Benjamin , 1663-1738 , physician and naturalist

Benjamin Allen was born in Somerset in 1663. He was educated at St Pauls School and then Queen's College, Cambridge. He established a medical practice in Braintree, Essex in c 1688. He was a friend of John Ray (1627-1705), an eminent naturalist in Essex. Allen's first paper On the Manner of Generation of Eels was published by the Royal Society in 1698. He eventually published several naturalist and scientific papers. He died in 1738.

The commonplace book titled Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) was once in the possession of the Reverend J W Kenworthy, vicar of Braintree and member of the Essex Field Club, who had purchased it from Mr Golding of Colchester in 1887. The commonplace book titled Praxis Medica. Medical observations towards a knowledge and cure of diseases (1710) was purchased by Mr John Avery, Vice-President of the Essex Field Club, from Mssrs Hodgson and Co of Chancery Lane in Jul 1911.

Mr John Avery must have acquired Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) from Reverend Kenworthy. In 1935 the Royal College of Surgeons of England received a letter from Avery's solicitors, after his death, offering the College the two medical notebooks of Benjamin Allen. The correspondence concerning this gift is contained in Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723).

Papers of Benjamin Allen, 1710-1723, comprising two manuscript volumes with their original vellum bindings, titled Praxis Medica. Medical observations towards a knowledge and cure of diseases (1710) and Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723). Both contain medical notes; descriptions of diseases; cases notes; natural history information; and astronomical information.

As outlined in Scope and Content.

Access available by appointment only.

No photocopying permitted.

English

Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.

Card catalogue.

A microfilm copy of Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) is available.

Allen, Benjamin The Natural History of the Chalybeat and Purging Waters of England with their particular essays and uses; among which are treated at large the apoplexy and hyperchondriacism: to which are added some observations on the Bath Waters in Somersetshire.

Compiled by Anya Turner.

Sources: Christy, Miller 'Dr Benjamin Allen (1663-1738) of Braintree: a forgotten Essex Naturalist' Essex Naturalist (Journal of the Essex Field Club), Feb 1911.

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Aug 2008 Allen , Benjamin , 1663-1738 , physician and naturalist Anatomy Astronomy Biology Commonplace books Diseases Documents Information sources Manuscripts Medical records Pathology Primary documents

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Mr John Avery must have acquired Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) from Reverend Kenworthy. In 1935 the Royal College of Surgeons of England received a letter from Avery's solicitors, after his death, offering the College the two medical notebooks of Benjamin Allen. The correspondence concerning this gift is contained in Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723).

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of Benjamin Allen, 1710-1723, comprising two manuscript volumes with their original vellum bindings, titled Praxis Medica. Medical observations towards a knowledge and cure of diseases (1710) and Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723). Both contain medical notes; descriptions of diseases; cases notes; natural history information; and astronomical information.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

As outlined in Scope and Content.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Access available by appointment only.

Conditions governing reproduction

No photocopying permitted.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Allen, Benjamin The Natural History of the Chalybeat and Purging Waters of England with their particular essays and uses; among which are treated at large the apoplexy and hyperchondriacism: to which are added some observations on the Bath Waters in Somersetshire.

Finding aids

Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.

Card catalogue.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

A microfilm copy of Conclusions in several subjects as Anatomy Medicin, Nature, Problems of the State and Accidents of the World (1723) is available.

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal College of Surgeons of England

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area