Hunterian Letters: Grey-Turner Bequest
TitleHunterian Letters: Grey-Turner Bequest
ReferenceMS0191
Level of descriptionfonds
Date1775-1793
Creator John Hunter, 1728-1793, surgeon, anatomist, William Hunter, 1718-1783, anatomist, surgeon, Anne Home Hunter, 1742-1821, poet
Admin./ biographical historyJohn Hunter was a Surgeon and Anatomist. In September 1748 he travelled to London to join his elder brother William Hunter (1718-1783). John assisted William by carrying out dissections and preparing specimens. In 1749 John began attending lectures by leading surgeons, and by 1754 John was a surgeon-pupil at St George’s Hospital, London. Soon after he began to take some of William Hunter’s lectures. John Hunter carried out research into a variety of areas, many of which were published later in his life. In 1761 John Hunter was commission as army surgeon to the British Army, and in 1767 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He became a member of the Company of Surgeons in 1768. In 1771 John Hunter married Anne Home, with whom he had two children, John Banks Hunter and Agnes Hunter. (Two further children died in infancy). John Hunter built up his private practice and continued to give lectures in surgery. He remained an active teacher and researcher until his death in 1793. For a full biography of John Hunter see MS0189 in this catalogue.
William Hunter (1718-1783) was a Surgeon and Anatomist. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University. By 1746 had embarked on a private career in London as a midwife and physician and a private lecturer in surgery and anatomy.
Anne Hunter was a Poet and Salonnière. She was also the wife of John Hunter. For more information on Anne Hunter's life and career. please see the administrative history in MS0014 in this catalogue.
William Hunter (1718-1783) was a Surgeon and Anatomist. He studied medicine at Edinburgh University. By 1746 had embarked on a private career in London as a midwife and physician and a private lecturer in surgery and anatomy.
Anne Hunter was a Poet and Salonnière. She was also the wife of John Hunter. For more information on Anne Hunter's life and career. please see the administrative history in MS0014 in this catalogue.
Scope and ContentThe volume contains a photograph of Professor George Grey Turner (1877-1951) followed by his collection of 5 Hunterian letters:
1) Letter from John Hunter to Edward Jenner, dated London, 24 May [1775], regarding a scheme to teach Natural History including both Human and Comparative anatomy, and requesting Jenner to assist him by coming to London.
2) Letter from John Hunter to Robert Adam, dated Leicester Square, 31 May 1789, concerning a testimonial for his nephew, Dr Baillie, for the position of Physician at St George's Hospital.
3) Letter from John Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated 15 January 1793, concerning natural history specimens.
4) Letter from William Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated Windmill Street, 6 November 1779, concerning some coins, and the dissection of a body where death was caused by sudden contraction of the heart. A hole is burnt in the page, which is described by William Hunter in a postscript, explaining the page was accidently set alight.
5) Letter from Anne Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated Lower Grosvenor Street, Monday, regarding collection of a manuscript.
1) Letter from John Hunter to Edward Jenner, dated London, 24 May [1775], regarding a scheme to teach Natural History including both Human and Comparative anatomy, and requesting Jenner to assist him by coming to London.
2) Letter from John Hunter to Robert Adam, dated Leicester Square, 31 May 1789, concerning a testimonial for his nephew, Dr Baillie, for the position of Physician at St George's Hospital.
3) Letter from John Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated 15 January 1793, concerning natural history specimens.
4) Letter from William Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated Windmill Street, 6 November 1779, concerning some coins, and the dissection of a body where death was caused by sudden contraction of the heart. A hole is burnt in the page, which is described by William Hunter in a postscript, explaining the page was accidently set alight.
5) Letter from Anne Hunter to an unidentified correspondent, dated Lower Grosvenor Street, Monday, regarding collection of a manuscript.
Extent1 Volume
LanguageEnglish
System of arrangementThe letters are ordered as they appear in the volume.
Conditions governing accessThis collection is available to everyone for research. It can be consulted in our Research Room at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE. It is essential to book in advance so we can ensure material is available. Please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk to book a Research Room appointment.
Conditions governing reproductionCopies of material in the archives can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents. Some items within this collection may remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. Permission to publish material, in print or online, must be sought in advance from the Royal College of Surgeons of England and, where appropriate, the copyright holder. Please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk in the first instance.
Persons keyword Edward Jenner, 1749-1823, physician, naturalist, London St George's Hospital Medical School, Matthew Baillie, 1761-1823, physician, anatomist
SubjectLondon, UK, Anatomy, Natural History, Physicians, Letter writing