Add MS 78749-78752

Letters and papers of John Lowe, M.D., M.R.C.S. (d. 12 Sept. 1902), physician to Edward VII as Prince of Wales and king, and his son-in-law, Herbert Frederick Elkington, together with papers relating to the Elkington family; 1853-20th cent. Partly printed. As the Prince of Wales’s local doctor in Norfolk, Lowe correctly diagnosed the Prince as suffering from typhoid and, together with the royal physicians Sir William Jenner, 1st Bart., and Sir William W. Gull, 1st Bart., attended him Dec. 1871-Jan. 1872. Author of The Yew Trees of Great Britain (London, 1897) and numerous articles, including that for pisces in the V.C.H. for Norfolk. An annotated copy and notes for a 2nd edition of The Yew Trees are held at the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew. The family retained its connections with the court with occasional correspondence, and invitations to royal events; also, papers relating to Lowe’s professional qualifications. Lowe’s first daughter, Thomasine Jessie, married Henry Frederick Elkington in 1879, into whose family the papers passed. The Elkington family pioneered the process of commercial electroplating. Most of the later letters relate to family history and the family business. Purchased from Charles Fox, Esq. of Tredrea Barn, Perranarworthal, Truro, co. Cornw., June 1997. Miscellaneous prints and portraits from the same collection sold by David Lay, The Penzance Auction House, Alverton, Penzance, co. Cornw., 12 February 1998 (lots 386-392; for photographs of some items see Add. MS. 78749, ff. 221-226v).

Three volumes. Paper and photographs. British Library arrangement.