James Hervey (physician) facts for kids

James Hervey (born around 1751 in London – died 1824) was an English doctor. He was a very important person in London because he helped start and spread smallpox vaccination.

Hervey went to school in Northampton and also had a teacher at home. When he was 16, in 1767, he started studying at Queen's College, Oxford. He worked hard and earned several degrees, becoming a doctor in 1781.

Becoming a Doctor

In 1779, James Hervey became a doctor at Guy's Hospital, which is a famous hospital. He also joined the Royal College of Physicians, a group of important doctors, in 1782. For several years, he also worked as a doctor in Tunbridge Wells during the summer.

Sharing Medical Knowledge

Dr. Hervey was chosen to give special talks called lectures to other doctors. He gave the Gulstonian lecture in 1783, the Harveian oration in 1785, and the Lumleian lectures from 1789 to 1811. These lectures were a way for him to share his medical knowledge with others.

Fighting Smallpox with Vaccines

One of James Hervey's most important roles was being the first registrar for the National Vaccine Establishment. This was a special group set up to help prevent smallpox through vaccination.

Spreading Vaccinations

In 1812, Dr. Hervey shared a report about the work done in 1811. He reported that doctors working for the National Vaccine Establishment had vaccinated 3,148 people in London. They also gave out 23,794 doses of vaccine to the public. This shows how much effort was put into protecting people from smallpox, a very dangerous disease at the time.

James Hervey passed away in early 1824, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer in public health and vaccination.