Thomas Marryot

Thomas Marryot (1730-92) was originally from London and trained to be a Presbyterian minister.  He was well known, even in his twenties, for his learning and his wit, as exemplified by Flower’s anecdote.  After obtaining an M.D. from the University of Edinburgh, he settled in Antrim, Ireland, in 1766 and began practicing medicine.  He left Ireland in 1774 for Shrewsbury, later moving to Bristol in 1785.  His medical successes were not enough to offset his eccentricity, however, and he was eventually reduced to poverty.  He died in Bristol and was buried in the cemetery belonging to the Unitarian chapel at Lewin’s Mead.   His published works include Therapeutics, or A new practice of physic (1758); The philosophy of Masons (1785); and Sentimental fables for the ladies (1791;1805).   For more on Marryot, see F. B. Winslow, Physic and Physicians: A Medical Sketch Book,  2 vols. (London, 1839), 1.63-65.