HISTORY OF MEDICINE The medical career of Robert Seymour Bridges, FRCP (1844–1930): physician and Poet Laureate

Oxford and St Bartholomew’s Hospital he practised as a casualty physician at his teaching hospital (where he made a series of highly critical remarks of the Victorian medical establishment) and subsequently as a full physician to the Great (later Royal) Northern Hospital. He was also a physician to the Hospital for Sick Children. It had for long been his intention to retire from the medical profession at the early age of 40! In 1913, Bridges was appointed Poet Laureate by King George V, and following a disappointingly sparse output of “official ” work, published his greatest literary contribution—The Testament of Beauty—on his 85th birthday. Robert Bridges (1844–1930) (fig 1) is the solemedical graduate (to date) to have attainedthe Poet Laureateship—the first holder of that office was John Dryden (1631–1700) who was appointed by King Charles II (1630–85) in 1668; Bridges was the 14th,1 and the present holder of the title (Andrew Motion; 1952 – ) the 19th. Bridges was described by one obituarist as “one of the most remarkable figures of his time”.2 It was his wish that no biography of him should be written, “and [this] will be respected by all who enjoyed his friendship”; so said a close personal friend—writing a biography in 19443— that is, 14 years after his death. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE