Heritage Centre :

George Edwards: The Bedell and his Birds

2 December 2005 - 22 April 2006

Richard MeadRichard Mead (1673-1754)
Oil on canvas, unknown artist, c. 1749

© Royal College of Physicians of London

Dr Richard Mead was described by Edwards as one of his principal patrons and as ‘magnanimous beyond the common measure… In Dr Mead I had a whole family of patrons: his son, and two of the King’s Physicians in Ordinary whose Ladies were daughters to Dr. Mead’. They were ‘my very good friends and promoters’.

Mead was London’s pre-eminent physician, attending George II and Sir Isaac Newton. He built up a huge and lucrative practice in London and spent much of his money on his collections of books, manuscripts, art and natural objects. As a collector he rivalled Sir Hans Sloane but Mead’s collection was dispersed on his death.

 

 

 

 

 

 


This page last updated on November 22, 2005