Joseph Browne (physician)
Encyclopedia
Joseph Browne was an English physician
, generally described as a charlatan
and hack writer.
, who proceeded M.B. 1695; he assumed the title M.D.
In 1706 he was twice convicted for libelling Queen Anne's administration. The first of these occasions, when he was fined forty marks and ordered to stand in the pillory
, was for the publication of The Country Parson's Honest Advice to that judicious and worthy Minister of State my Lord Keeper. In a letter addressed to Secretary Robert Harley
, 'occasioned by his late commitment to Newgate
,' he denies the authorship of this pamphlet, of which at the same time he gives an explanation. He also speaks of Harley as having 'not only treated him like a patriot, but given him friendly advice.' He was again fined forty marks and ordered to stand in the pillory twice.
's theory of the circulation of the blood, and he continued The Examiner after it had been dropped by Delarivier Manley
, who had succeeded Jonathan Swift
.
He sought patronage, and was bold and importunate. His 'Modern Practice of Physick vindicated' (two parts, 1703-4) is dedicated to the Duke of Leeds
without permission. He dedicated his 'Lecture of Anatomy against the Circulation of the Blood' (1701) to 'His Excellency Heer Vrybergen, Envoy Extraordinary from the States-General.' His 'Practical Treatise of the Plague' (1720) has a prefatory epistle to Richard Mead
, and his last known publication, also on the plague, was addressed to the president and members of the Royal College of Physicians
, with which he was not affiliated. Beyond the date of this publication (1721) there is no trace of him.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, generally described as a charlatan
Charlatan
A charlatan is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money, fame or other advantages via some form of pretense or deception....
and hack writer.
Life
He has been identified with a Joseph Browne of Jesus College, CambridgeJesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
, who proceeded M.B. 1695; he assumed the title M.D.
In 1706 he was twice convicted for libelling Queen Anne's administration. The first of these occasions, when he was fined forty marks and ordered to stand in the pillory
Pillory
The pillory was a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse, sometimes lethal...
, was for the publication of The Country Parson's Honest Advice to that judicious and worthy Minister of State my Lord Keeper. In a letter addressed to Secretary Robert Harley
Robert Harley
Robert Harley may refer to:*Robert Harley , English statesman, Member of Parliament for Radnor and Herefordshire*Robert Harley , British Member of Parliament for Radnor...
, 'occasioned by his late commitment to Newgate
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
,' he denies the authorship of this pamphlet, of which at the same time he gives an explanation. He also speaks of Harley as having 'not only treated him like a patriot, but given him friendly advice.' He was again fined forty marks and ordered to stand in the pillory twice.
Works
He was an industrious writer with an obscure and rambling style. He wrote and lectured against William HarveyWilliam Harvey
William Harvey was an English physician who was the first person to describe completely and in detail the systemic circulation and properties of blood being pumped to the body by the heart...
's theory of the circulation of the blood, and he continued The Examiner after it had been dropped by Delarivier Manley
Delarivier Manley
Delarivier Manley was an English novelist of amatory fiction, playwright, and political pamphleteer...
, who had succeeded Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was an Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer , poet and cleric who became Dean of St...
.
He sought patronage, and was bold and importunate. His 'Modern Practice of Physick vindicated' (two parts, 1703-4) is dedicated to the Duke of Leeds
Duke of Leeds
Duke of Leeds was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1694 for the prominent statesman Thomas Osborne, 1st Marquess of Carmarthen...
without permission. He dedicated his 'Lecture of Anatomy against the Circulation of the Blood' (1701) to 'His Excellency Heer Vrybergen, Envoy Extraordinary from the States-General.' His 'Practical Treatise of the Plague' (1720) has a prefatory epistle to Richard Mead
Richard Mead
Richard Mead was an English physician. His work, A Short Discourse concerning Pestilential Contagion, and the Method to be used to prevent it , was of historic importance in the understanding of transmissible diseases.-Life:The eleventh child of Matthew Mead , Independent divine, Richard was born...
, and his last known publication, also on the plague, was addressed to the president and members of the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
, with which he was not affiliated. Beyond the date of this publication (1721) there is no trace of him.