James Parsons 1705-1770

James PARSONS 1705-1770

Biographical Note

Born at Barnstaple, Devon but brought up in Ireland, where his father was a barrackmaster. He was educated in Dublin before going to Paris to study medicine; he graduated MD from the University of Rheims in 1736. He then moved to London and became physician to the infirmary at St Giles; he also developed a private practice. He wrote extensively on medical and antiquarian subjects, with many papers published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, where he was elected a fellow in 1741. He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and Society of Arts, and became a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians in 1751. He was also noted as a skilled musician and artist.

Books

Parsons used an engraved armorial bookplate (Franks 22823); the extent of his library is not known, but much of it was sold shortly before his death, in 1769, when he was in failing health. He also collected natural historical and anatomical specimens.

Sources

• Inspiring Physicians, 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.
• Hudson, Giles. "Parsons, James (1705–1770), physician and antiquary." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.