James Drake (physician) facts for kids
James Drake (1667–1707) was an English doctor and writer who lived a long time ago. He was also involved in politics, supporting a group called the Jacobites. He was a member of the Royal Society, which is a famous group for scientists.
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Early Life and Education
James Drake was born in 1667 in Cambridge, England. His father was a lawyer. James went to school at Eton College, a well-known school. He then studied at Caius College, Cambridge, where he earned his first degrees.
In 1693, he moved to London to study medicine. He became a doctor in 1694. In 1701, he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Society, a group for important scientists. He also became a fellow of the College of Physicians in 1706.
James Drake died in 1707 from a fever.
His Writings and Political Views
James Drake was known for writing many pamphlets. These were like short books or essays that shared his opinions, especially about politics.
Writing About Politics
Drake was a strong supporter of the Tory political group. He often wrote to argue against the Whigs, another political group at the time.
In 1702, he wrote a pamphlet called The History of the Last Parliament. In this writing, he criticized the Whigs. Because of this, he was called before the House of Lords, which is part of the English Parliament. He admitted he wrote it and was put on trial, but he was found not guilty.
In 1703, he published a book called Historia Anglo-Scotica. This book upset some people, especially Presbyterians in Scotland. It was even publicly burned in Edinburgh.
In 1704, Drake helped write The Memorial of the Church of England. This pamphlet caused a lot of trouble. It suggested that the Church of England was in danger. Important leaders like the Duke of Marlborough and Godolphin were very unhappy about it. The book was publicly burned, and the Queen herself spoke about it in Parliament. The government even offered a reward to find out who wrote it.
Drake faced legal problems again for some things he wrote in a paper called Mercurius Politicus. He was found guilty of writing something offensive, but later the decision was overturned because of a mistake in the legal process.
Medical Books
Just before he died in 1707, James Drake published a medical book called Anthropologia Nova, or a New System of Anatomy. This book was about the human body and how it works. It included drawings and information from other doctors.
This book was very popular and was printed again several times. In it, Drake had an interesting idea about how people might become immune to diseases like smallpox after being exposed to them. This idea was later explored by other doctors.
Drake also wrote other papers about medical topics, including how breathing affects the heart.
Other Creative Works
Besides his political and medical writings, Drake also wrote a play called The Sham Lawyer, or the Lucky Extravagant. It was performed in 1697. He also wrote a review of plays called The Antient and Modern Stages Reviewed in 1700.
Family Life
James Drake was married to Judith Drake. She was also a writer and even practiced medicine herself. They had a daughter named Ann and a son, also named James, who later became a doctor too.
