Catalogue description CLARK, JAMES

Two journals in Clark's hand, including notes on his travels with the Royal family to Scotland and Ireland, 1847-68.

Clark, James (Sir) (1788-1870)

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Sir James Clark (1788 -1870) was born on 14 December 1788, in Cullen, Banffshire. He was educated at Aberdeen University where he graduated MA. It was his initial intention to pursue a career in law but he found he had a preference for medicine. He went to Edinburgh to study, and in 1809 became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Immediately he entered the medical service of the Navy. He returned to Edinburgh to continue his studies at the University, graduating MD in 1817.

In 1818 Clark took a phthisical patient to the south of France and to Switzerland, making observations on the effects of the climate upon phthisis (pulmonary consumption). In 1819 he settled in Rome, the resort frequented by many of the higher echelons of English society, where he built up a practice and a steadily increasing reputation over the next seven years. When Clark returned to England the Prince appointed him his physician.

Clark returned to London in 1826, and was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians. Clark became both famous and popular for the care he took in his prescriptions, masking the nauseous taste of the drugs for his patients.

In 1834 he obtained, via recommendation by the King of the Belgians, the appointment of physician to the Duchess of Kent. The appointment involved the medical care of Princess Victoria. Accordingly, this led to a large increase in his business and reputation. Upon Queen Victoria's accession to the throne in 1837, Clark was appointed the Queen's physician in ordinary, and was created baronet.

Upon the Queen's marriage in 1840 Clark was also appointed physician to the Prince Consort, Prince Albert, who also held him in high esteem. He also served on several Royal Commissions.

Outside of his role at court, Clark was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1832. He served on the Senate of the University of London, 1838-65. He also played an influential role in the establishing of the Royal College of Chemistry, in 1845. Clark also served on the General Medical Council, 1858-60.

Clark retired in 1860, giving up his practice at Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, where he had lived since 1841, and his duties as physician to the monarch. Clark was 81 when he died at Bagshot Park on 29 June 1870. He was buried at Kensal Green on 4 July 1870.

Sources:

'Lives of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians of London, 1801-1825', William Munk (London, 1878) [Munk's Roll Vol. III pp.222-6]

'Dictionary of National Biography, vol. X', Leslie Stephen (ed.) (London, 1887) [DNB, vol. X, pp.401-2]

'Beloved Sir James, The Life of Sir James Clark, Bart, Physician to Queen Victoria, 1788-1870', George Whitfield (1982)

'Keat's Doctor in Rome', Lord Brock, 'Keats-Shelley Memorial Bulletin', no. 27, 1976