Edward Greaves (physician)
Encyclopedia
Sir Edward Greaves, 1st Baronet (1608 – 11 November 1680), was an English physician.
Greaves was the son of John Greaves, rector of Colemore
, Hampshire. He was born at Croydon
, Surrey, in 1608. His brothers were John Greaves
, Nicholas Greaves
and Thomas Greaves
. He studied at Oxford University, and was elected a fellow of All Souls' College in 1634. After this he studied medicine at Padua University, where in 1636 he wrote some complimentary Latin verses to Sir George Ent
on his graduation, and returning to Oxford graduated M.B. 18 July 1640, M.D. 8 July 1641. In 1642 he continued his medical studies at the university of Leyden, and on his return practised physic at Oxford, where, 14 November 1643, he was appointed Linacre superior reader of physic. In the same year he published' Morbus epidemicus Anni 1643, or the New Disease with the Signes, Causes, Remedies,' &c, an account of a mild form of typhus fever, which was an epidemic at Oxford in that year, especially in the houses where sick and wounded soldiers were quartered.
Charles I
is supposed to have created him a baronet
4 May 1645. Of this creation, the first of a physician to that rank, no record exists, but the accurate Le Neve did not doubt the fact, and explained the absence of enrolment. With his friend Walter Charleton
, Greaves became travelling physician to Charles II
, but settled in London in 1653, and was admitted a fellow of the College of Physicians 18 October 1657. He delivered the Harveian oration
at the College of Physicians 25 July 1661 (London, 1667, 4to), of which the original manuscript is in the British Museum
(Sloane 302). He says that before Harvey the source of the circulation was as unknown as that of the Nile, and compares England to a heart, whence the knowledge of the circulation was driven forth to other lands. He became physician in ordinary to Charles II who granted him the lands of St Leonard's Forest
in Sussex
, including that part which became Leonardslee
. He married Alicia Nevett (1624–1684), widow of Peter Calf (d. 1668). Greaves lived in Covent Garden, died there 11 Nov. 1680, and was buried in the church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden.
Greaves was the son of John Greaves, rector of Colemore
Colemore
Colemore is a village in East Hampshire about northwest of Petersfield.The former Church of England parish church of St Peter ad Vincula dates from the 12th century...
, Hampshire. He was born at Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, Surrey, in 1608. His brothers were John Greaves
John Greaves
John Greaves was an English mathematician, astronomer and antiquary.-Life:He was born in Colemore, near Alresford, Hampshire. He was the eldest son of John Greaves, rector of Colemore, and Sarah Greaves...
, Nicholas Greaves
Nicholas Greaves
Nicholas Greaves, D.D. was an English churchman who was Dean of Dromore cathedral, County Down.-Life:He was the second son of John Greaves, rector of Colemore, near Alresford, Hampshire. His brothers were John Greaves, Sir Edward Greaves and Thomas Greaves.He studied as a commoner at St. Mary's...
and Thomas Greaves
Thomas Greaves (orientalist)
Thomas Greaves was an English orientalist, a contributor to the London Polyglot of Brian Walton.-Life:He was a son of the Rev. John Greaves of Colemore, Hampshire, and brother of John Greaves, Nicholas Greaves and of Sir Edward Greaves...
. He studied at Oxford University, and was elected a fellow of All Souls' College in 1634. After this he studied medicine at Padua University, where in 1636 he wrote some complimentary Latin verses to Sir George Ent
George Ent
George Ent was an English scientist in the seventeenth century who focused on the study of anatomy. He was a member of the Royal Society and the Royal College of Physicians...
on his graduation, and returning to Oxford graduated M.B. 18 July 1640, M.D. 8 July 1641. In 1642 he continued his medical studies at the university of Leyden, and on his return practised physic at Oxford, where, 14 November 1643, he was appointed Linacre superior reader of physic. In the same year he published' Morbus epidemicus Anni 1643, or the New Disease with the Signes, Causes, Remedies,' &c, an account of a mild form of typhus fever, which was an epidemic at Oxford in that year, especially in the houses where sick and wounded soldiers were quartered.
Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
is supposed to have created him a baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
4 May 1645. Of this creation, the first of a physician to that rank, no record exists, but the accurate Le Neve did not doubt the fact, and explained the absence of enrolment. With his friend Walter Charleton
Walter Charleton
Walter Charleton was an English writer. According to Jon Parkin, he was "the main conduit for the transmission of Epicurean ideas to England".-Life:...
, Greaves became travelling physician to Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, but settled in London in 1653, and was admitted a fellow of the College of Physicians 18 October 1657. He delivered the Harveian oration
Harveian Oration
The Harveian Oration is a yearly lecture held at the Royal College of Physicians of London. It was instituted in 1656 by William Harvey, discoverer of the systemic circulation. Harvey made financial provision for the college to hold an annual feast on St...
at the College of Physicians 25 July 1661 (London, 1667, 4to), of which the original manuscript is in the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
(Sloane 302). He says that before Harvey the source of the circulation was as unknown as that of the Nile, and compares England to a heart, whence the knowledge of the circulation was driven forth to other lands. He became physician in ordinary to Charles II who granted him the lands of St Leonard's Forest
St Leonard's Forest
St. Leonard's Forest is at the western end of the Wealden Forest Ridge which runs from Horsham to Tonbridge, and is part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It lies on the ridge to the south of the A264 between Horsham and Crawley with the villages of Colgate and Lower Beeding...
in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, including that part which became Leonardslee
Leonardslee
Leonardslee is one of the largest and most spectacular landscaped woodland gardens in England. They are particularly noted for their spring displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolias and bluebells, with the flowering season reaching its peak in May...
. He married Alicia Nevett (1624–1684), widow of Peter Calf (d. 1668). Greaves lived in Covent Garden, died there 11 Nov. 1680, and was buried in the church of St. Paul's, Covent Garden.