Robert Levet facts for kids
Robert Levet (1705–1782) was a man from Yorkshire, England, who became a waiter in Paris. He later learned about medicine and moved to London. He was a close friend of the famous writer and poet Samuel Johnson for 36 years. Johnson even wrote a poem called "On the Death of Dr. Robert Levet" to honor him.
Levet was born in a place called Kirk Ella, near Hull in Yorkshire. People sometimes spelled his name Levett. He was known as someone who helped sick people, especially those who were not rich.
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Levet's Early Life and Training
Robert Levet moved to Paris, France, when he was younger. There, he found a job working as a waiter. While working, he started to learn about medicine, especially how to prepare and sell medicines, like an apothecary.
How Levet Learned Medicine
Even though he was a waiter, Levet was very curious. People noticed him listening carefully to doctors talking in a coffeehouse in Paris. Some people were so impressed that they collected money to help him get some training. This training mostly involved studying how to make medicines and sometimes attending medical lectures.
Levet's Friendship with Samuel Johnson
Robert Levet lived in Samuel Johnson's home in London. He would help Johnson every morning. Their friendship began in 1746. Johnson's friend and writer, James Boswell, said that Johnson really valued Levet. Johnson felt he needed Levet with him, even if he had many other doctors.
Levet's Personality and Appearance
James Boswell described Levet as looking "strange" and "grotesque." He was stiff and formal and did not talk much when other people were around. Samuel Johnson himself said Levet could be "brutal" in his manners. However, Johnson added that Levet's roughness was only on the outside, not in his heart.
Levet was known for being honest, kind, and grateful to Johnson. He also worked very hard in his job helping people. His only real fault was that he sometimes drank too much.
Levet's Medical Work
Even with his unusual appearance and manners, Levet had a busy medical practice. He mostly helped people in the poorer parts of London. He charged small fees, and people from "the lower classes" liked him. Perhaps this was because Levet understood their lives.
A Lasting Friendship
The friendship between Levet and Johnson lasted for many years. They often ate dinner together. Despite their different backgrounds, they enjoyed each other's company. When Johnson traveled, he would often write letters to Levet at his home. Johnson did not know much about Levet's past, but he truly cared for this quiet and kind man.
Johnson's Tribute to Levet
Robert Levet passed away from a heart attack in 1782. Samuel Johnson was 72 years old at the time. The London newspaper, The London Chronicle, reported his death. Johnson was very sad and even tried to find Levet's family in Yorkshire to give them the small amount of money Levet had left behind. He eventually found Levet's two brothers.
Johnson wrote a poem to honor his friend. In the poem, you can feel how much Johnson cared for the simple apothecary from Hull:
"When fainting nature call'd for aid,
And hov'ring death prepar'd the blow,
The power of art without the show."
His vig'rous remedy display'd
This poem shows that Levet's help was strong and effective, even if he wasn't a fancy doctor. After Johnson died, people learned more about Levet from an article in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1785. It was based on what Johnson himself had said about his friend.
