The John Gregory material consists of: a volume on the practice of medicine delivered at Edinburgh, 1769-1770; lectures on the practice of medicine, 1772-1773; lectures on the institutions of medicine, 1773; lectures on physic, 1773; and, a letter to Nancy Ord, 1771.
Papers of Professor John Gregory (1724-1773)
This material is held atEdinburgh University Library Heritage Collections
- Reference
- GB 237 Coll-349
- Dates of Creation
- 1769-1773
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English.
- Physical Description
- 4 manuscript volumes, 1 letter, 2 batches letters (fire-damaged and boxed).
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
John Gregory was born in Aberdeen on 3 June 1724. He was the youngest son of James Gregory (d. 1731), Professor of Medicine at King's College, Aberdeen, and the grandson of the mathematician James Gregory (1638-1675). His early education was under care of his brother, James Gregory, who had succeeded his father at King's, and his cousin Thomas Reid, the metaphysician. In 1741 he began medical studies at Edinburgh University and on completion of these he studied at the University of Leiden, 1745-46. In 1746 he was appointed Professor of Philosophy at Aberdeen University where he lectured on mathematics, moral philosophy and natural philosophy. In 1749 Gregory resigned the Chair and devoted himself to medical practice, moving to London in 1754. While there he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and his success in London seemed assured. However, on the death of his brother, he returned to Aberdeen, succeeding to the Chair there, and lectured on and practiced medicine until 1764 when he moved to Edinburgh. In 1766 Gregory was appointed Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh University on the resignation of Professor John Rutherford (1695-1779). Also in 1766 he was appointed as Physician to the King in Scotland. His publications include A comparative view of the state and faculties of man with those of the animal world (1766) and Observations on the duties and offices of a physician, and on the method of prosecuting enquiries on philosophy (1770). Professor John Gregory died on 9 February 1773.
Access Information
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance. Some material fire-damaged and very fragile (access would probably be denied until conservation carried out).
Acquisition Information
Letter, purchased 1974, Accession no. E74.22.
Note
The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Stephen, Leslie. and Lee, Sidney (eds.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol. 8. Glover-Harriott. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1908.
Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.
Other Finding Aids
Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.
Accruals
Check the local Indexes for details of any additions.