Commonplace Book of Dr. Thomas Lewis
- Date:
- Early 18th century
- Reference:
- MS.MSL.36
- Archives and manuscripts
About this work
Description
This manuscript is made up of two books bound up together, but the pages are not in order.
The first has pages numbered 1-167 followed by some unnumbered pages, and represents folios 1-61 and 99-131 of the book as now bound.
The second book was smaller, paged 1-35, again followed by unnumbered pages. The second book is now represented by folios 62-98.
Publication/Creation
Early 18th century
Physical description
131 folios 4to. 18 × 13 cm. Modern binding.
Biographical note
The writer's name is not written in the book, but his identity can be fixed from the fact that his wife is stated to be a descendant of Sir Robert Cotton. On consulting the Cotton genealogy, the marriage can be identified. The identity of the writer as Dr. Thomas Lewis is confirmed by a copy of his father's epitaph, and by references to his children. Lewis was educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, but did not take a degree. He was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians in 1713 and died at his house in Hatton Garden on the 22 October, 1746.
Finding aids
Described in: Warren R. Dawson, Manuscripta medica. A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the Library of the Medical Society of London (London, 1932).
Where to find it
Location Status Access Closed stores