Lives of the fellows

Richard Tyson

b. ? d.3 Jan 1749-50?
MD

Richard Tyson was born in Gloucestershire, and was the son of Edward Tyson, M.D., a Fellow of the College, who died in 1708. Dr. Richard Tyson was educated at Pembroke college, Cambridge, of which house he was a fellow. He proceeded M.B. 1710; M.D. 1715; was admitted a Candidate of the College of Physicians 25th June, 1717; and a Fellow 25th June, 1718. He was Censor in 1718, 1728, 1734, 1736, 1737; Registrar from 1723 to 1735 inclusive; was appointed Treasurer 16th April, 1739, in place of Dr. Wharton, deceased, and held that office until October, 1746. He delivered the Harveian Oration in 1725. Dr. Tyson was named an Elect 18th August, 1735; and was elevated to the Presidential chair in 1746. This distinguished office he continued to fill to the day of his death, 3rd January, 1749-50. [His body was taken from the parish of St (?) Backchurch where he lived to be buried at Much (?) otherwise Great Waltham co Essex. In the nave of the church there is the following memorial -
Here lies the Remains
of
Richard Tyson MD
President of the College of Physicians
and
Physician to St Bartholomew’s Hospital London who married Elizabeth the only daughter and (?) of John Haben Esq by whom he left only one son Richard Tyson and died Jan 3 1748 aged 61.] Dr. Tyson was physician to St. Bartholomew’s hospital, to which office he was elected 7th May, 1725. In September, 1729, whilst in the execution of his office there, he was violently assaulted by one of the patients, supposed to be in a disordered state of his senses. Help immediately coming, the fellow was secured, but in the scuffle Dr. Tyson fell against the locker of a bed, by which the cap of his knee was put out, and his arms very much bruised (1). [His portrait is in the College.]

William Munk

[Dr. Tyson appointed Harveian Library keeper (transcript of Annals 1733 p.22). Dr. Tyson’s salary as Harveian Librarian (marginal note ibid p.24).]
[Rich ? Tyson MD. In 1719 he was settled in Lime (?) Street and there continued to his death.]

[References: (1) British Medical Journal for October 23, 1875, p.527. ]

(Volume II, page 59)

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