Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- Early 18th century (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 volumes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Thomas Woolhouse was born in Halstead, Essex, in 1666. Son of Thomas Woolhouse, royal oculist and of the third generation, according to Woolhouse, to have followed that profession. He was educated at Westminster School and matriculated in 1684 at Trinity College, Cambridge, on a scholarship. He graduated in 1686/7 and then travelled throughout Europe to familiarise himself with the various methods of treating diseases of the eye. He started a practice in London, and served for a time as Groom of the Chamber to King James II. He was working in Paris from before 1700 to about 1730. He served as surgeon to the Hospice des Quinze-Vingts in 1711. He originated the operation of iridectomy to restore sight in cases of occluded pupil, and he was the first to describe the complete and systematic extirpation of the lachrymeal sac when the duct was blocked. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Surgeons of England, in 1721, being at that time oculist to the French King. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Berlin and of the Institute of Sciences of Bologna. He died in 1734.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0114 MS0076 Early 18th century Collection (fonds) 2 volumes Woolhouse , John Thomas , 1666-1734 , oculist
John Thomas Woolhouse was born in Halstead, Essex, in 1666. Son of Thomas Woolhouse, royal oculist and of the third generation, according to Woolhouse, to have followed that profession. He was educated at Westminster School and matriculated in 1684 at Trinity College, Cambridge, on a scholarship. He graduated in 1686/7 and then travelled throughout Europe to familiarise himself with the various methods of treating diseases of the eye. He started a practice in London, and served for a time as Groom of the Chamber to King James II. He was working in Paris from before 1700 to about 1730. He served as surgeon to the Hospice des Quinze-Vingts in 1711. He originated the operation of iridectomy to restore sight in cases of occluded pupil, and he was the first to describe the complete and systematic extirpation of the lachrymeal sac when the duct was blocked. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Surgeons of England, in 1721, being at that time oculist to the French King. He was also a member of the Royal Academy of Berlin and of the Institute of Sciences of Bologna. He died in 1734.
Unknown.
Papers of John Thomas Woolhouse, early 18th century, comprising two manuscript volumes written in French and Latin, probably containing transcripts of lectures given by Woolhouse. The title on the spine reads Traite des Malad. de l'Oeil.
As outlined in Scope and Content.
By written appointment only.
No photocopying permitted.
French and Latin
Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1928) by Victor G Plarr.
There are letters by Woolhouse at the Royal Society, in the British Library Manuscript Collections, and in the Huntingdon Library, California.
Compiled by Anya Turner.
Source: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography http://www.oxforddnb.com
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 Anatomy Biology Diseases Europe Eye Eye diseases Eye infections Eye injuries Eyesight Eye surgery Face France Lectures (teaching method) Medical sciences Nervous systems Ophthalmology Pathology Sensory systems Surgery Teaching methods Western Europe Woolhouse , John Thomas , 1666-1734 , oculist
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Unknown.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of John Thomas Woolhouse, early 18th century, comprising two manuscript volumes written in French and Latin, probably containing transcripts of lectures given by Woolhouse. The title on the spine reads Traite des Malad. de l'Oeil.
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
French and Latin
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
Related units of description
There are letters by Woolhouse at the Royal Society, in the British Library Manuscript Collections, and in the Huntingdon Library, California.
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
- Anatomy
- Biology
- Pathology » Diseases
- Anatomy » Nervous systems » Sensory systems » Eyesight
- Teaching methods » Lectures (teaching method)
- Medical sciences
- Anatomy » Nervous systems
- Medical sciences » Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Anatomy » Nervous systems » Sensory systems
- Medical sciences » Surgery
- Teaching methods
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
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