Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Davies, Richard (d.1762)
DAVIES, RICHARD, M.D. (d. 1762), physician, was a native of Shropshire. On 19 Aug. 1726 he was entered as a pensioner of Queens' College, Cambridge, at that time under the presidency of his relation, Dr. John Davies (1679–1732) [q. v.] There he became a fellow, proceeding B.A. in 1730, M.A. in 1734, and M.D. in 1748 (College Register). He practised at Shrewsbury, but latterly at Bath, where he died in the beginning of 1762. His will, bearing date 11 Dec. 1743, was proved on 6 March 1762 by his widow, Jane (Reg. in P. C. C. 99, St. Eloy). Davies was elected a fellow of the Royal Society on 8 June 1738, but withdrew two years later. Besides an elaborate dissertation, ‘Tables of Specific Gravities, with Observations,’ in vol. xlv. of the ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ pp. 416–89, he was the author of: 1. ‘The General State of Education in the Universities: with a particular view to the philosophic and medical education: set forth in an epistle to … Doctor Hales, …, being introductory to essays on the blood,’ 8vo, Bath, 1759. Anonymous ‘Observations’ in reply appeared the same year. 2. ‘To promote the experimental Analysis of the Human Blood. Essay the first’ (no more published), 8vo, Bath, 1760.
[Addit. MSS. 6210, f. 32, 6181, f. 21; Byrom's Journal and Remains (Chetham Soc.), vol. ii. pt. i. p. 56, vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 535.]