LUNATICS

[Samuel Foart Simmons, one of the 'mad doctors' of George III.] Autograph case notes for six women, made as physician to St Luke's Hospital, London.

Author: 
Samuel Foart Simmons (1750-1813), physician, one of the 'mad doctors' of George III [St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, Old Street, London]
Publication details: 
[St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, Old Street, London.] Case notes for three of the patients only dated (date of admission?) July, September and December 1789. Others no year given. Notes (of examination?) dated to 8 and 15 January [1790].
£280.00

St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics was founded in 1750 by City of London philanthropists to treat mental illness among the poor of London. In 1786 it moved from Moorfields to Old Street, where it remained until 1916. Simmons was appointed physician to the hospital in 1781. 6pp, 16mo. A piece of laid watermarked paper has been neatly torn into three 16 x 10 cm leaves: a bifolium, with the single leaf loosely inserted. In good condition, lightly aged. A poignant artefact. Simple, brief notes, giving age, name, date [of admission], address, some with follow-up notes. The six women are 'Eliz.

[Samuel Tuke, Quaker minister, asylum reformer and philanthropist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Saml. Tuke'), regarding the editorship of the 'Annual Monitor', to an unnamed 'Friend' (the magazine's printer?).

Author: 
Samuel Tuke (1784-1857), Quaker minister, asylum reformer and philanthropist [The York Retreat, asylum where 'moral treatment' was employed; William Alexander (1768-1841), editor, The Annual Monitor]
Publication details: 
York; 5 April 1860.
£950.00

The present letter concerns the editorship of the Annual Monitor, a Quaker magazine subtitled 'Obituary of the members of the Society of Friends in Great Britain and Ireland', published between 1812 and 1919. The founding editor was William Alexander (1768-1841), and following Alexander's death 'the Editors' referred to in the letter included Sarah Backhouse and the letter's author Samuel Tuke. The recipient would appear to be the magazine's printer. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper adhering to blank second leaf of bifolium. Folded twice.

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