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).