Bookplate of William Oliver (1695-1764)

Bookplate of William Oliver, physician and philanthropist, from an early 18th-century edition of Santorio Santorio's work on hygiene, De statica medicina. Born in Cornwall, Oliver's medical skill brought him to the fashionable spa town of Bath, where he became acquainted with figures such as Alexander Pope. He is credited with inventing the 'Bath Oliver', a savoury biscuit, for his patients, but his main work was the establishment of the Royal Mineral Water Hospital in the city.

Given by J.E.B. Mayor.