Sir William Duncan, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir William Duncan (died 1774) was a Scottish doctor. He was a very popular doctor in London. He even became the personal physician to King George III.
Sir William Duncan's Life
William Duncan was the brother of Alexander Duncan. Alexander lived in Lundie, Forfarshire. William was also the uncle of Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan, a famous naval officer.
Duncan earned his medical degree from the University of St Andrews in 1751. In 1760, he became the personal doctor to King George III. This happened when the King began his reign. On August 9, 1764, he was given the title of a baronet of Marylebone. He helped treat the King during his first illness in 1765.
Duncan worked with another Scottish doctor, Andrew Turnbull. They received land in Florida. There, they planned a new settlement called New Smyrna. They intended to use workers from the Mediterranean region. In 1768, eight ships sailed from Minorca with over a thousand settlers. However, when they arrived, the living conditions were very bad.
In 1771, Duncan was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group for important scientists. Towards the end of his life, he moved abroad. He passed his medical practice to Sir John Eliot. Sir William Duncan died in Naples in September 1774.
The large amount of money he invested in New Smyrna was lost. This happened a few years later in 1777. The remaining settlers left New Smyrna all at once.
His Family and Legacy
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In 1763, Duncan married Lady Mary Tufton. She was the daughter of Sackville Tufton, 7th Earl of Thanet. Sir William Duncan did not have any sons. Because of this, his baronet title ended when he died. Lady Mary was born in 1723 and passed away in 1806. She was known for her tall wigs.
