Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1675-1679 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 volume
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Browne was born in 1642, possibly in Norwich. He studied at St Thomas's Hospital under Thomas Hollyer, and then served as a surgeon in the Navy. He settled at Norwich and in 1677 published his book on tumours. After this he relocated to London, becoming surgeon in ordinary to King Charles II. The King then supported Browne in his application for a post at St Thomas's. After a disagreement with the governers at the hospital the surgeons at St Thomas's, including Browne, were replaced. His appeals for reinstatement were not successful. He continued in the service of the monarchy and was surgeon to William III. His publications included one on the method used by Charles II on touching for the King's Evil, a treatise on wounds, and a treatise on the muscles of the human body published in 1681. This consisted of six lectures illustrated by copper plates. The text of the volume is probably based on William Molins' Myskotomia (1648), and the copper plates are probably based on Giulio Casserio's Tabulae anatomicae LXXIIX (1627).
Repository
Archival history
The signature of Thomas Key is on the fly leaf, and the copy of the manuscript presumably belonged to him. This is possibly Thomas Hewitt Key (1799-1875), a classicist who had studied medicine, or possibly his father, Thomas Key, a London physician.
GB 0114 MS0177 1675-1679 Collection (fonds) 1 volume Browne , John , 1642-1700 , surgeon
John Browne was born in 1642, possibly in Norwich. He studied at St Thomas's Hospital under Thomas Hollyer, and then served as a surgeon in the Navy. He settled at Norwich and in 1677 published his book on tumours. After this he relocated to London, becoming surgeon in ordinary to King Charles II. The King then supported Browne in his application for a post at St Thomas's. After a disagreement with the governers at the hospital the surgeons at St Thomas's, including Browne, were replaced. His appeals for reinstatement were not successful. He continued in the service of the monarchy and was surgeon to William III. His publications included one on the method used by Charles II on touching for the King's Evil, a treatise on wounds, and a treatise on the muscles of the human body published in 1681. This consisted of six lectures illustrated by copper plates. The text of the volume is probably based on William Molins' Myskotomia (1648), and the copper plates are probably based on Giulio Casserio's Tabulae anatomicae LXXIIX (1627).
The signature of Thomas Key is on the fly leaf, and the copy of the manuscript presumably belonged to him. This is possibly Thomas Hewitt Key (1799-1875), a classicist who had studied medicine, or possibly his father, Thomas Key, a London physician.
The provenance of this material is not known.
Papers of John Browne, 1675-1679, comprising a manuscript copy of John Browne's treatise on the muscles of the human body, dedicated to Charles II, and titled Myotomia, or the Anatomicall discourse of all the muscles of Humane body as they appeare in dissection collected, written and drawne by John Browne sworne Chirurgeon to the King, 1675. Containing letters and inscriptions from supporters of the publication of the volume, including Edmund Dickinson, Physician to the King's person and family, 24 Mar 1678-1679; Walter Needham, Charterhouse, 14 Apr 1679; Thomas Allen MD, Physician in Ordinary; Edward Warner, Physician in Ordinary; Edmund King, Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty; Gulielm Sanders MD; Hugh Chamberlen, Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty; A P Frasier; Charles Scarburgh; and Censors (of the Royal College of Physicians): Joannes Micklethwaite, Thomas Witherley, Samuel Collins, Thomas Millington, and Edvardus Browne. Including 36 tables of drawings.
As outlined in Scope and Content.
By written appointment only.
No photocopying permitted.
English, Latin and Greek.
Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.
Compiled by Anya Turner.
Source: Dictionary of National Biography, Volume VII, London, 1886; and The Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine catalogue.
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.
Sep 2008 Allen , Thomas , d 1684 , physician Anatomy Biology Browne , Edward , 1644-1708 , physician Browne , John , 1642-1700 , surgeon Centuries Chamberlen , Hugh , b 1630 , physician Charles II , 1630-1685 , King of Great Britain and Ireland Collins , Samuel , d 1710 , physician Dickinson , Edmund , d 1707 , physician Dissection Illustrations King , Edmund , d 1709 , physician Medical sciences Micklethwaite , Sir , John , d 1682 , Knight , physician Millington , Sir , Thomas , d 1704 , physician Muscles Needham , Walter , d 1691 , physician Royal College of Physicians Scarburgh , Sir , Charles , 1615-1694 , Knight , physician and natural philosopher Scientific methods Seventeenth century Surgery Visual materials Warner , Edward , fl 1634-1664 , physician Witherley , Sir , Thomas , d 1694 , Knight , physician
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The provenance of this material is not known.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of John Browne, 1675-1679, comprising a manuscript copy of John Browne's treatise on the muscles of the human body, dedicated to Charles II, and titled Myotomia, or the Anatomicall discourse of all the muscles of Humane body as they appeare in dissection collected, written and drawne by John Browne sworne Chirurgeon to the King, 1675. Containing letters and inscriptions from supporters of the publication of the volume, including Edmund Dickinson, Physician to the King's person and family, 24 Mar 1678-1679; Walter Needham, Charterhouse, 14 Apr 1679; Thomas Allen MD, Physician in Ordinary; Edward Warner, Physician in Ordinary; Edmund King, Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty; Gulielm Sanders MD; Hugh Chamberlen, Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty; A P Frasier; Charles Scarburgh; and Censors (of the Royal College of Physicians): Joannes Micklethwaite, Thomas Witherley, Samuel Collins, Thomas Millington, and Edvardus Browne. Including 36 tables of drawings.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
As outlined in Scope and Content.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
By written appointment only.
Conditions governing reproduction
No photocopying permitted.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English, Latin and Greek.
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
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Notes area
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Description control area
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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