Author: Henderson, William
Biography:
HENDERSON, William (1765-1828: findmypast.com)
The author of Every Man His Own Doctor is to be distinguished from two genuine doctors of the same name, William Henderson (1784-1870), M. D. in Perth, Scotland, who wrote on some similarly general topics, and William Henderson (1810-72), a pioneer of homeopathy. The origins of the rhyming “Doctor” are obscure and public records are few, but he was a local legend. A pitman (miner), apparently a native of Northumberland, who was treated as a patient at the Newcastle Infirmary, he later married one of the nurses. In 1804 when she was appointed Matron to the newly built fever hospital, the House of Recovery just outside the city walls, he became Inspector there. In his book he claims to have acquired more medical knowledge than most doctors possessed by hands-on experience over 22 years, but his official position ended on the death of his wife. Neither her name nor the exact date of her death has been found. He died at his home on Pilgrim Street, Newcastle, on 11 Jan. 1828 after a short illness, and was buried on Jan. 13 at the Ballast Hills cemetery. (findmypast.com 20 Apr. 2022; John Sykes, Local Records [1833] 2: 214-15) HJ
Other Names:
- Wm. Henderson