Gooch, Robert (1784-1830), English obstetric physician.

File contains various dated and undated letters from Robert Gooch to poets Robert Southey (1774-1843) [1] and Robert Pollock (1798-1827) [4]; Sir William (Knighton?) [5] regarding a "'little book... containing the art of rearing an infant so as best to prevent illness", his health and Brougham's speech on Davie's Trial going to press; 2 letters to Sir John Murray (1778-1843, publisher) written close to his death regarding his "article on the anatomical schools for a certain personage" [2] and the advertisement of his book [3]; and an undated note regarding a prescription [6]. Also includes a letter to Dr. Southey from John Murray in 1831 [7], after Gooch's death, regarding a printing of a second edition of (1000 copies) of "Dr Gooch's work on Female Disorders at my own coast and risque." The letter dated 23rd October 1830 from Gooch to Murray [3] is ambiguous as Gooch died on February 16th 1830.

1811-1831

1 file (7 pieces)

Purchased from: Stevens, London, October 1932 (acc.68323); Glendining, London, January 1935 (acc.67947), August 1932 (acc.67693); Sotheby's, London, February 1930 (acc.52480); Stevens, London, January 1929.

Gooch, Robert (1784–1830), obstetric physician, was born at Yarmouth, Norfolk, in June 1784, the son of Robert Gooch, a naval captain, and great-grandson of Sir Thomas Gooch, bishop of Ely. In 1804, Gooch went to the University of Edinburgh to study medicine. He graduated MD in June 1807, with an inaugural dissertation on rickets. He then worked for a time under Astley Cooper and in 1808 he set up in general practice together with a Mr James of Croydon, Surrey. Gooch became a regular contributor to the medical journal London Medical Record.

Following the death of his first wife in 1811, Gooch moved to London where, in 1812, he was admitted a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. In the same year was appointed physician to the Westminster Lying-in Hospital, where he acquired much practical experience attending midwifery cases among the poor of London. In 1814 Gooch built up a large practice, based primarily on midwifery and the diseases of women. Due to ill health, Gooch had to give up practicing medicine and in April 1826 he became librarian to the king, but he eventually died on February 16th 1830.

More information can be found via the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.