John Ash 1723-1798

John ASH 1723-1798

Ash's earlier bookplate, British Museum Franks Collection 780

Biographical Note

Born in Warwickshire; BA Trinity College, Oxford 1743, MA 1746, MB 1750, MD 1754. He developed a successful practice as a physician in Birmingham, where he founded the General Hospital. He suffered a period of ill health and mental instability in his middle years, but in 1787 he moved to London, having regained his health, and was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and of the Royal Society. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and he founded a social and literary society known as the Eumelian Club. Around that time his portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Books

Ash used two engraved armorial bookplates, one (Franks 780) earlier than the other (Franks 781). The extent and disposition of his library are not known.

Ash's later bookplate, British Museum Franks Collection 781

Sources

• John Ash, Wikipedia.
• John Ash, Royal College of Physicians
• Gambier Howe, E. R. J. Franks bequest: catalogue of British and American book plates bequeathed to the ... British Museum. London, 1903-4.