Pepys: A Biography by Richard OllardReview by: A. Rupert Hall and Marie Boas HallNotes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 46, No. 2 (Jul., 1992), pp. 325-326Published by: The Royal SocietyStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/531644 .

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Book reviews

BOOK REVIEWS

Richard Ollard, Pepys: a biography. London: Sinclair-Stevenson, 1991. Pp. 411, £25. ISBN 1-85619-0668

reviewed by A. RUPERT HALL AND MARIE BOAS HALL

14 Ball Lane, Tackley, Oxford OX5 3AG

Biographers of Samuel Pepys (1633- 1703) tend to emphasize the fact that there was much more to his life than the famous Diary, which he abandoned in his 33rd year. Great trials in the time of the Popish Plot, great connections with the King and the Duke of York (later King James II), great office as Secretary of the Admiralty, and the finest parts of his life's work were yet before him. As

part of it, he would certainly have in- cluded his Presidency of the Royal So-

ciety, though most of what we know of

Pepys and the Society comes from the

Diary. He was elected F.R.S. on 15 Fe-

bruary 1665, and was President from 30 November 1684 until 30 November 1686.

Pepys was not a great President. The chief lustre of his term in office was that he signed the Society's imprimatur to the first Book of Newton's Principia. We have no evidence that Pepys ever saw more of it, though later he was to

correspond with Newton about the cal- culation of chances at dice (oddly, not a subject of real interest to either man), and their friendship may well have ripened after Newton's move to London

in 1696, though again details are lack- ing. Pepys had been absent when Dr Vincent presented Newton's Book I to the Society on 19 May 1686; indeed, he very rarely presided over a meeting of the Society, though he did slightly better by the Council. At the height of his career, James It's most important civil servant was immensely busy. By con- trast, the Diary is an important source for the history of the Royal Society in the 1660s, as well as of Pepys's amours.

Mr Ollard's life was first published in 1974. This highly illustrated reprint, on heavy paper, at three and a half pounds' weight, is not to be taken lightly. It is well written and the pictures are well reproduced (especially those of naval battles and bosomy ladies), but the book is not wholly free from misprints. Mr Ollard's picture of Pepys is fair: he does not deny that Pepys was a predator upon women (including his own servants) - an earlier and more fortunate James Bo- swell - and rightly makes clear his enor- mous importance in the history of the Royal Navy. He accurately defines the man's qualities of intelligence, love of beauty, business capability, good hu-

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Book reviews Book reviews

mour, honesty, industry and integrity. Pepys, like Newton, like all of us, was of his own time; if Pepys sold a black slave to the plantations, Newton thought the world might end in 1867. Again, the

importance in Pepys's life of, and his

personal admiration for, such well- known Fellows as Sir William Petty, John Evelyn, Dr Thomas Gale, is well

mour, honesty, industry and integrity. Pepys, like Newton, like all of us, was of his own time; if Pepys sold a black slave to the plantations, Newton thought the world might end in 1867. Again, the

importance in Pepys's life of, and his

personal admiration for, such well- known Fellows as Sir William Petty, John Evelyn, Dr Thomas Gale, is well

brought out; even Robert Hooke had nothing harsh to say of Mr Pepys (see especially pages 364-75). As compared with Sir Arthur Bryant's deservedly long-read trilogy, Mr Ollard's bio-

graphy is shorter, crisper, less heroic, more modem in praise and censure. And withal an enjoyable book to read.

brought out; even Robert Hooke had nothing harsh to say of Mr Pepys (see especially pages 364-75). As compared with Sir Arthur Bryant's deservedly long-read trilogy, Mr Ollard's bio-

graphy is shorter, crisper, less heroic, more modem in praise and censure. And withal an enjoyable book to read.

Shirley Roberts, Sir James Paget: the rise of clinical surgery. Royal Society of Medicine, 1990. Pp. 223. £12.95 (hardback), £7.95 (softback). ISBN 0-9-0- 595891-8

reviewed by L.S. JACYNA

Wellcome Unitfor the History of Medicine, the University, Manchester M13 9PL

Shirley Roberts, Sir James Paget: the rise of clinical surgery. Royal Society of Medicine, 1990. Pp. 223. £12.95 (hardback), £7.95 (softback). ISBN 0-9-0- 595891-8

reviewed by L.S. JACYNA

Wellcome Unitfor the History of Medicine, the University, Manchester M13 9PL

Sir James Paget (1814-1899) is con-

ventionally viewed as one of the great men of 19th-century surgery. A pure product of the London system who spent his entire career at Saint Bartholomew's

Hospital, Paget none the less helped to undermine some of the most distinctive features of the system within which he trained. His rise within the hospital's hierarchy marked the first major depar- ture from the tradition whereby appoint- ments at Bart's were reserved for the

apprentices of the existing clinical staff.

Paget broke this jobbery by virtue of his attainments in medical science, espe- cially in pathology.

He therefore represented a new type of surgeon who rose to prominence in the second half of the 19th century: one who emphasized the importance of a firm grounding in the basic sciences to

Sir James Paget (1814-1899) is con-

ventionally viewed as one of the great men of 19th-century surgery. A pure product of the London system who spent his entire career at Saint Bartholomew's

Hospital, Paget none the less helped to undermine some of the most distinctive features of the system within which he trained. His rise within the hospital's hierarchy marked the first major depar- ture from the tradition whereby appoint- ments at Bart's were reserved for the

apprentices of the existing clinical staff.

Paget broke this jobbery by virtue of his attainments in medical science, espe- cially in pathology.

He therefore represented a new type of surgeon who rose to prominence in the second half of the 19th century: one who emphasized the importance of a firm grounding in the basic sciences to

the clinician and who demanded reforms of medical education and certification that would take cognizance of these de- mands. Paget was, in particular, one of the earliest proponents of medical microscopy in London.

Like other scientific surgeons of this ilk - such as Benjamin Brodie - Paget's professional persona also embodied a strong moral dimension. He laid stress upon the lofty and dignified nature of the medical practitioner's calling; and he sought (with limited success) to impress the virtues of sobriety and industry upon his students. Paget, in short, brought an evangelical sensibility to his profession.

His career therefore richly deserves the attention of both the medical and the cultural historian. Unfortunately the present volume is of only limited value to anyone seeking an understanding of

the clinician and who demanded reforms of medical education and certification that would take cognizance of these de- mands. Paget was, in particular, one of the earliest proponents of medical microscopy in London.

Like other scientific surgeons of this ilk - such as Benjamin Brodie - Paget's professional persona also embodied a strong moral dimension. He laid stress upon the lofty and dignified nature of the medical practitioner's calling; and he sought (with limited success) to impress the virtues of sobriety and industry upon his students. Paget, in short, brought an evangelical sensibility to his profession.

His career therefore richly deserves the attention of both the medical and the cultural historian. Unfortunately the present volume is of only limited value to anyone seeking an understanding of

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