13 minute read
LOCAL HISTORY
Dr Radcliffe's special ‘prescription’
Most of us will associate the name Radcliffe with the local school, or the leading hospital. But do you know that they both refer to the same 17th Century Doctor? This is the story of the man John Radcliffe and how his name connects our railway town of Wolverton with the world-renowned city of Oxford...
John Radcliffe was born in Wakefield in 1652 – records show that he was baptised on January 23 that same year.
His arrival came almost three years after the execution of King Charles I and mere months after the end of the English Civil War. Notable moments in our country's history, but John's success in life ensured that we are still talking about him today too.
He was clever, and as a youngster attended Wakefield Grammar School, before swapping Wakefield for Oxford to further his studies.
He arrived there as a lad of just 13 years old; young even for those times.
University College had strong connections with Yorkshire and his time in Oxford confirmed Radcliffe in his self-confidence and belief in the superiority of those born in that county.
While attempting to sum anyone up in a few words is a tricky business, thinking of Radcliffe as a clever, direct-speaking Yorkshire man is probably close to the truth.
Radcliffe excelled in many ways and graduated with a BA at 17, going on to take his MA within two years and then, shortly afterwards, his BA and a Doctorate in medicine.
He loved life at college and proved himself well-able to gain the scholarships and positions needed to fund his studies.
He became the college's lecturer in logic and then, in philosophy. But, writing in 1986, Anthony Quinton, President of Trinity College in Oxford said: 'It is possible to wonder about the level of professional competence he had managed to attain in these subjects.'
Indeed, Radcliffe was described as 'an illiterate sot,' by one, and Quinton assessed that while that comment might have been harsh, it did have a grain of truth. 'Radcliffe drank heavily, while earnestly advising his even more alcoholic friends to use a measure of restraint, and was not a great reader,' Quinton wrote.
When asked about his library, Radcliffe pointed to some phials, books on herbs and a skeleton. He learned through observation and prescribed using common sense.
He was no fan of bleeding his patients and recommended a good diet, exercise and fresh-air. Perhaps he would have done well even today!
Radcliffe discovered that he was better rewarded from his practice and in 1684, aged 32, he left Oxford for London, already with a name for successfully treating patients.
He took a property in Bow Street, and began seeing patients at a coffee house and at the Bull's Head Inn as was the fashion during those times.
His fame spread even more in the capital, and his knowledge was utilised by the top echelons; he found favour as a leading court physician treating aristocracy who called upon his expertise – William of Orange, Queen Mary and Princess Anne of Denmark among them.
As you would expect, the electorate was small – just 13 men would cast votes in favour of staunch Tory Radcliffe, or the Whig candidate, Richard Temple of Stowe.
During a lively election, the Whigs wore wool to show their opposition to exporting wool to France, while the Tories wore oak sprigs.
Votes were cast by a show of hands and in November 1713, Radcliffe was triumphant against Temple. Radcliffe's fellow Tory was also elected - but only after a dispute as to whether some of the 13 were ineligible because they had not recently taken Holy Communion, proving their allegiance to the Church of England.
Radcliffe's tenure as MP for Buckingham would be short, ending just a year later with his death.
John died at his home in Surrey, but his remains were taken to Oxford where he rests in the St Mary-the-Virgin church.
In life, regardless of where he chose to be situated, his favour for Oxford remained strong and is still evident 300 years later in buildings in the city that carry his name.
The importance of the Wolverton connection and its relationship to the buildings in Oxford was seeded by Radcliffe but brought to fruition by the good-judgement and decisions of his friends and those that followed them as Radcliffe Trustees.
The Doctor’s will provided relatively small sums to members of his family and his servants. Bequests were made to St Bart’s Hospital in London (for food and bed linen) and to University College, Oxford.
Otherwise he had stipulated a sum to be spent on a library and directed that the Trust could make decisions about the remainder. Managing all the properties and finances and accommodating Radcliffe’s wishes was beset with problems, because for some years he had been discussing his wishes with friends - Oxford academics and those that were already involved in developing Oxford, including the architect, Nicholas Hawksmoor.
This led to many different opinions about Radcliffe’s intentions, but when it was published it was quite clear that he wished to fund a new library – even specifying where it should be built.
His wishes were fulfilled and the library - the Radcliffe Camera – still stands as one of the most significant buildings in Oxford.
Radcliffe retained his down-to-earth manner, whether dealing with the King –“Why truly I would not have your two legs (they were horribly swollen, and King William was obviously very ill) for your three kingdoms,” or with his fellow doctors.
He valued good banter and when he suggested that that earth had been used to cover up poor work on a pavement, he happily paid his bill, appreciating the retort “Mine is not the only bad work the earth hides.”
We can add meanness to a description of his character. He was not liked but that did not seem to bother him. He would treat Whigs, who held opposing political views, but informed them that “they could expect him to kill them off for their opinions”.
The wife of a prominent Whig was told that he “attended her to spite her husband, who wished her dead”.
Radcliffe was acquainted with and treated many of the rich and famous of his day – Newton, Kneller, Grinlin Gibbons, Robert Harley, and, among them, he did have a few very close friends.
He proved popular enough to become the highest paid Doctor of his time. Politics also enthused Radcliffe and he was an MP for Bramber for five years beginning in 1690.
But politics didn't retain his interest at that time.
It was only just over a year before he died that his association with Milton Keynes, and Wolverton, in particular, was established – and was due to his reignited passion for politics; he decided to stand again, but this time as MP for Buckingham.
To do that, he needed to have an estate that produced a substantial annual income – to be a member of the land-owning class.
The Wolverton Estate, owned by Longuevilles, was available at the time, and fitted the bill perfectly.
Back then, Buckingham was a 'Corporation Borough' which meant that the only people who could vote were the Mayor, Aldermen and the Councillors, known as the aforementioned Corporation.
This maquette of John Radcliffe by sculptor Martin Jennings is one of the exhibits at MK Museum The Radcliffe Camera building in Oxford
The Trustees then took the decision to build an infirmary. It wasn’t part of Radcliffe’s plans as in his day most hospitals were in London and were places of comfort for the poor, rather than treatment.
This all changed during the 18th century when bequests and benefactions founded infirmaries in cities and county towns, but the infirmary wouldn't be officially opened until 1771.
Nor was Radcliffe known to have an interest in astronomy but Wren, who had designed the Greenwich Observatory, was the Oxford Professor of Astronomy.
Radcliffe also knew Newton, who had consulted him, though Newton was known for preferring to treat himself. Oxford did not wish to be left behind in astronomical research and the energetic Professor of Astronomy was soon lobbying the Trust. It took time, but he was successful and the Observatory was finished around 1779.
From one vantage point in Oxford, the visiting eye can take in the Radcliffe Camera, and the John Radcliffe Hospital in the distance, together with his place of burial.
It is quite the visual legacy of the man whose posthumous gift changed the skyline of Oxford, and had a positive effect on the lives of countless people who live and work there.
Young visitors to MK Museum can dress up as Dr Radcliffe (above) and explore Wolverton and Oxford's connection
Impressive though those achievements are, they are matched by the management of the Wolverton Estate in ways that furnished the necessary income from the tenant farmers and, at the same time, allowed the building of canals, a railway and the world’s first railway town.
Throughout, it seems that the Trustees have shown an understanding and benevolence that encouraged the community and supported its schools and churches.
The list of present and past Trustees includes the rich and influential but also those who are less well-known but who brought a dedication and commitment that made it all possible.
When it was formed there were few, if any, similar trusts but it became an example for many others.
> For more information visit MK Museum or see John Radcliffe and His Trust by Ivor Guest, 1991.
Milton Keynes Museum is one of the best interactive museums, a perfect outing for all ages, staffed by friendly volunteers, and highly recommended by visitors on TripAdvisor. This feature was written by Milton Keynes Museum. Find out more about forthcoming events and see our opening times at: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
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