Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Schomberg, Meyer Löw

604771Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 50 — Schomberg, Meyer Löw1897Norman Moore

SCHOMBERG, MEYER LÖW, M.D. (1690–1761), physician, whose name is sometimes spelt Schamberg, eldest son of a Jewish practitioner of medicine whose original name seems to have been Löw, changed later for Schomberg, was born at Fetzburg in Germany in 1690. He entered his name in the album of the university of Giessen on 13 Dec. 1706, and, after studying classics under Professor Eberwein, entered upon medical studies and completed the course for the degree. He then received a license ‘ad practicandum,’ and began practice at Schweinburg and Blanckenstein. In 1710 he applied to the authorities of the university of Giessen for a mandate to check the practice of a rupture-curer who was injuring him in his district (certified copy of original record in the album of the medical faculty at Giessen). The university was willing to support him, but recommended him to complete his degree, which he did on 21 Dec. 1710. He practised at Metz previous to his arrival in England about 1720, and was admitted a licentiate of the College of Physicians of London on 19 March 1722. On admission he obtained leave to pay his fees hereafter, and his bond is preserved in the college. He was a strong supporter of his son's action against the college. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society, and admitted on 12 Jan. 1726. He lived in Fenchurch Street, and by 1740 had attained a leading practice in the city of London. He had six children, of whom Raphael or Ralph [q. v.], Isaac (1714–1780) [q. v.], and Sir Alexander [q. v.] are noticed separately. He died at Hoxton on 4 March 1761. A fine portrait belongs to a descendant. He bequeathed his property, by a will dated 23 Oct. 1759, in equal shares to his sons Isaac and Alexander. A Hebrew manuscript in his hand, dated 1746, has been exhibited (Anglo-Jewish Exhibition).

[Munk's Coll. of Phys. ii. 81; private information.]

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