A biographical memoir of the late Dr. Joseph Thackeray, of Bedford.

Date:
[1832?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A biographical memoir of the late Dr. Joseph Thackeray, of Bedford. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and, in pursuing his studies, he passed two years at Edinburgh, one at Glasgow, and two in London; after which he became a Bachelor of Physic of Cambridge, in 1812. In 181.7 he afterwards completed his aca¬ demic qualifications, by attaining the university degree of Doctor of Physic. It is illustrative of the present state of the profession of physic, that though Dr. Joseph Thackeray was eligible to the highest honors of the London College of Physicians, even under its own arbitrary bye-laws, he never connected himself with that learned body, by becoming either a fellow or licentiate. On becoming a Bachelor of Physic, with license to practise, Dr. Thackeray commenced his professional career, by settling, in 1812, at Northampton, where favourable prospects opened to him. It was not any apprehension of failure that induced him to abandon this ground, but the unsatisfied energies of his mind, for which the necessarily limited sphere of private practice furnished no adequate exercise. Conscious of powers which could embrace a far wider scope of active exertion, and possessing an innate benevolence, which incited him to employ these powers in the service of his fellow-creatures, he longed for a hos¬ pital; but, of this desire,* Northampton offered no hope of an early fulfilment. In the feelings here alluded to, many belonging to his branch of the pro¬ fession will fully sympathise; and most oppressive are they to all who enter on the exclusive practice of physic, without the advantages of extensive observa¬ tion and cumulative experience which hospitals afford. Few are ignorant of how much of what is necessary to constitute the skilful physician, remains to be learned, after the most perfect course of elementary instruction and scholastic preparation has been completed. How¬ ever extensive the literary attainments, however pro¬ found the science acquired, all combined will not