Fothergillian Prize
- Medical Society of London
- Date:
- 1821-1907, 1980
- Reference:
- SA/MSL/J
- Part of:
- Medical Society of London
- Archives and manuscripts
About this work
Description
For further records relating to the Fothergillian Prize, see the Sundry Committee minutes (SA/MSL/C/3) and Fothergillian Prize Committee records (SA/MSL/C/4).
Published editions of the essays are noted, where known, in the catalogue descriptions for individual essays.
Publication/Creation
Physical description
Contributors
Biographical note
John C. Lettsom, the founder of the Medical Society of London, was the protégé of the English physician John Fothergill (1712-1780). In 1784, Lettsom offered to present to the Society the patronage of an annual Fothergillian medal: "It will be in gold, of ten guineas value, to be called the Fothergillian medal, and to be given annually... to the author of the best essay upon a prize question proposed by the Society , on a subject of Medicine or Natural History... [The Society's] decisions will be calculated to promote medical science in particular, and physics in general, which are my motives for requesting their patronage of the Fothergillian medal." (Letter to the Council from John C. Lettsom, see Ordinary Meetings Minutes, 08/06/1784, reference SA/MSL/D/2/1/1).
The dissertations had to be written in English, Latin or French, and delivered with a sealed packet, with some motto or device on the outside (also written on the dissertation), and within, the author's names and designation. A committee appointed by the Society, consisting of the Council and other members, was in charge of the judging.
The medal was adjudged on the 8th day of March, that being the birthday of John Fothergill. The first medal was adjudged in 1786.
Related material
Held by Archives and Manuscripts, Wellcome Library:
Minutes of the Ordinary Meetings of the Medical Society of London (especially minutes for June 4th, 8th and 22nd 1784)
Minutes of the Council of the Medical Society of London.