Als - Autograph Letter Signed ('R: Willan') To A. J. G. Marcet, On The Election Of James Sheridan Knowles As Resident Vaccinator To Royal Jennerian Society, With Reference To Jenner, Walker, Ring, Paytherus, Field. Willan, Robert = Dermatologie

(London), Bloomsbury Square, 30. Sept. (1806), 3 pages quarto and address sheet on double sheet, with barely visible traces of mounting, and traces of seal and postmark. Robert Willan FRS (1757-1812) English physician, founder of dermatology, writes to his former Assistant, Alexander John Gaspard Marcet (1770-1822), the Swiss chemist and founding member of the Medical and Chirurgical Society of London and its first Foreign Secretary. This highly interesting letter on the election of James Sheridan Knowles as resident vaccinator to Royal Jennerian Society, is casting light on the tensions between the various factions (including the 'Anti-Jennerian party') surrounding the vaccination movement in early Georgian London. "Dear Sir / | We should have been particularly happy to have had your countenance on thursday next; but as circumstances are at present, I think you need not put yourself to any trouble. Knowles is the only candidate returned for election by the General Committee: We waited week after week to accommodate Mr. Wagstaffe, till he shd. have obtained proper testimonials, and a Certificate, or Diploma from the Colle of Surgeons. As these were not produced at the time agreed upon by himself & friends, and in place of them only a lame & confused apology, with requisition for more time (though we had wasted a month) I fear the poor fellow has been rejected by the College. The Anti-Jennerian party brought their whole force consisting of nine to make us put off the election (sine die). However, some just observations made by Mr. Paytherus & Mr. Field, confirmed by a compact & well-arranged speech by Mr Ring the best, I shd: think , he ever uttered, made the Committee assert its dignity, and got us a majority of two for an immediate election, as Walker was paid off & to go yesterday or today. The Committee expressed much satisfaction on Knowles's testimonials, which were of a much more extensive nature, both as to education, and attention to Medico-Chirurgical science than Mr. Wagstaffe's had to produce, though much boasting preceded." Willan ends the letter by asking Mercel to "Present my best respects to Dr. Jenner", I am very happy my book *) has his approbation, he will be so kind as make notes, since there will probably be a second edition. Dr: J: will be kind enough to send his Proxy, as a feather to us: Your's will not avail. Dr. Walker is about establishing a "London Vaccine Institution" in aid of others for the extinction of ye small-pox &c. The House to be near your residence in town. Best Wishes . - Yours truly R.Willan." Presumably Matthew French Wagstaffe, Borough surgeon, author of 'Strictures on the Cow Pox, or Vaccine Inoculation', 1800; Thomas Paytherus (1752-1828), surgeon; Henry Field (1755-1837), apothecary; John Ring (1752-1821); i.e. John Walker (1759-1830) *) On vaccine inoculation. London, 1806. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981) Extreme Rare in Trade!