William Wagstaffe facts for kids

William Wagstaffe (born in 1685 – died on May 5, 1725) was a British doctor. He was known for his medical work and his writings.

Early Life and Education

William Wagstaffe was born in 1685 in a village called Cublington in Buckinghamshire, UK. He was the only son of the local church leader, known as the rector. His family was also connected to the Wagstaffe family from Knightcote, Warwickshire.

William went to school in Northampton. In 1701, he started studying at Lincoln College, Oxford, which is a famous university. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), on June 16, 1704. He then got his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree on May 5, 1707.

Medical Career Begins

In 1707, William Wagstaffe moved to London. There, he started working in medicine with his relative, Thomas Wagstaffe. William later married Thomas's daughter. Sadly, she passed away early. After her death, he married the daughter of a surgeon named Charles Bernard.

On July 8, 1714, William Wagstaffe completed his medical studies at Oxford. He earned two more advanced degrees: a Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). These degrees showed he was a fully qualified doctor.

Important Medical Roles

William Wagstaffe became a member, or "fellow," of the Royal College of Physicians on December 22, 1718. This was a very important group for doctors in Britain. In 1720, he served as a "censor" for the college. This role meant he helped make sure other doctors followed the rules and standards.

On December 15, 1715, he became a teacher of anatomy to the Barber-Surgeons. Anatomy is the study of the body's structure. Later, on December 29, 1720, he became a doctor at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. This was a major hospital in London. He took over from another doctor named Salisbury Cade.

William Wagstaffe also became a "fellow" of the Royal Society on March 13, 1718. The Royal Society is one of the oldest and most respected groups for science in the world. Being a member meant he was recognized for his contributions to knowledge.

Later Life and Works

William Wagstaffe passed away in Bath on May 5, 1725.

He wrote a few interesting books during his life:

• A Comment upon The History of Tom Thumbe (1711): This book was a commentary on the famous fairy tale of Tom Thumb.
• A Letter showing the Danger and Uncertainty of inoculating the Small Pox (1722): In this letter, he discussed the risks and uncertainties of a medical procedure called inoculation for smallpox. Inoculation was an early way to try and prevent smallpox, but it had its dangers.