St John's College W.23
Erasmus Darwin, Notes on lectures by William Heberden. English, 1752-3
Erasmus Darwin, of St John's College (1731-1802): Copies made as an undergraduate at St John's from works by William Heberden, Fellow of the College (1710-1801). The works are An introduction to the study of physic and (from the last page in the vol.) The doctrine of the pulse. The latter dated at the end 'St John's August 1 1753'. The texts are written on the recto, with further notes on the facing verso.
190x125 mm. 54+[7]+25 fos. Numerous inscriptions inside front cover, including 'Erasmus Darwin. St John's -52', 'Damn you Darwin, you have spelt a thousand words wrong, you son of a whore - Timothy Jackson MD', 'Will: Abbot DD', 'John L. Hunt MD', 'Thomas Jackson', 'Gentlemen, Non Ego parvis offendor maculis, quas aut incuria fudit, aut humana parum cavit Natura', 'Envy can spy the spotts in the Sun, but is there a philosopher among ye, can make another sun so fair?'. Signature of Charles Darwin pasted onto contents page. Purchased by the College with the assistance of a contribution from Mr Gatty, 1936 (lot 686 from p. 84 of the catalogue for the Sotheby's sale of 4 Nov. 1936). With three autograph letters and one card, signed, from Francis Darwin to W. Cope, 1889, and a report on the MS by Norman Moore, 1889.
Autograph throughout. Paper, with original marbled boards. A small red seal and the title of the first work appear on the front cover.