Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Healde, Thomas

1412545Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 25 — Healde, Thomas1891Gordon Goodwin ‎

HEALDE, THOMAS, M.D. (1724?–1789), physician, born about 1724 at Ashbourne, Derbyshire, was the son of Robert Healde of Norwich. On 19 June 1742 he was admitted a sub-sizar of Trinity College, Cambridge, and proceeded M.B. in 1749 and M.D. in 1754 (College Admission Book). He commenced practice at Witham, Essex, was admitted a candidate of the Royal College of Physicians on 22 Dec. 1759, and a fellow on 22 Dec. 1760. In 1763 he delivered the Gulstonian lectures, and in 1765 the Harveian oration, which was printed during the same year. He removed to London in 1767, was censor in 1769 and 1771, Croonian lecturer in 1770, 1784, 1785, and 1786, and was Lumleian lecturer from 22 Dec. 1786 until his death. He was elected physician to the London Hospital on 20 June 1770, F.R.S. the next day (Thomson, Hist. of Royal Soc. Ap. iv. p. liii), and in 1771 Gresham professor of physic (Royal Kalendars). Healde died on 26 March 1789, leaving his widow and family destitute. The college voted 100l. for their relief at the comitia majora of 25 June following. Mrs. Healde for many years acted as a midwife. Healde was the author of: 1. ‘The Use of Oleum Asphalti,’ 8vo, London, 1769. 2. ‘The New Pharmacopœia of the Royal College of Physicians, translated with Notes,’ 8vo, London, 1788 (another edition, 1793).

[Munk's Coll. of Phys. 1878, ii. 231–2.]

G. G.