George Turner (physician) facts for kids
George Turner (died 1610) was an English doctor who lived in London. He was very interested in alchemy, which was an old practice of trying to turn ordinary metals into gold. He was also friends with another famous person of his time, Simon Forman. His wife was named Anne Turner.
Life of George Turner
George Turner was born in either Derbyshire or Suffolk, England. He went to St. John's College, Cambridge in November 1569. At Cambridge, he earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1573 and a master's degree (M.A.) in 1576. He later traveled to another country to get his medical degree (M.D.).
After his studies, Turner became a member of the College of Physicians of London in 1584. He became a full fellow there in 1588. He was chosen as a "censor" several times, which meant he helped make sure doctors followed the rules. He became a very successful doctor and was even liked by Queen Elizabeth I.
Turner was a good friend of Dr. Simon Forman. He was also very interested in alchemy, not just as a hobby, but he wrote about it too. Forman even copied some of Turner's writings on alchemy in the 1590s. Some old writings from 1590, found in the Sion College library, were thought to be by "Dr. Turner." However, there was another doctor named Peter Turner in London at that time, so it's sometimes hard to know which "Dr. Turner" is being talked about in old records.
In 1602, some people at the College of Physicians questioned Turner's religious beliefs when he was being considered for a higher position. However, important people like Sir John Stanhope and Robert Cecil wrote letters supporting him. They said that Queen Elizabeth would be happy if he got the job, and that his religious views did not mean he was against the state. Because of this support, he was chosen for the position the very next day. In 1609, he became the treasurer of the college. He died on March 1, 1610, while still holding that important role.
Turner's Family Life
George Turner married Anne Norton (1576–1615). In his will, he mentioned that he had three sons and three daughters.
