COLCHESTER MEDICAL SOCIETY BIOGRAPHICAL PROJECT            
PRACTIONERS IN MEDICINE OF COLCHESTER & NE ESSEX Up to 1900
Compiled by Dr John Blake Penfold FRCP 


R

RAER
Born:
Died:
Practice: Surgeon & Plague Master, Colchester ôto receive a weekly sum of 20 
Shillings for searching and caring for poor people afflicted with the plagueö 
(Colchester Oath Book 1665)
Education:
Other Information:

RAINBIRD Thomas
Born:
Died:
Practice: Apothecary, Surgeon & Parish Doctor at Earls Colne 1772-1792
Education:
Other Information: Inoculated the servants of Thomas Jewell, attorney, against 
smallpox.
Subscriber to Ex & Herts ben Med Soc 1787-1807

RALLETT John
Born:
Died:
Practice: Physician and Surgeon, Braintree 1688 (Wallis D)
Education:
Other Information:

RALPH Stephen
Born:
Died:
Practice: Surgeon, Great Saling 1835 (Pigot)
Education:

RAND James
Born:
Died:
Practice: Physician, Colchester
Education: R.Coll Phys license 1680 (Munks)
Other Information:

RANSON John
Born: 1817
Died: 31/10/1850 (aged 33)
Practice: Surgeon, Sproughton, Suff.
Education: Apprentice to John Denny & William Mumford 1833-38 then spent a 
year at University College Hospital. LSA, MRCS 1840
Other Information: Appointed first Police surgeon in Ipswich in 1845.
Married Sarah Josselyn 1845

RAOUL John
Born: 1659
Died: 18/11/ 1737
Practice: öPhisitienö, Culver St,Colchester
Education: MD
Other Information: Buried in All Saints Church: inscribed flat gravestone on floor 
of north aisle.

RAOUL Noah
Born:
Died: 22/3/1736
Practice: Surgeon, Colchester 1693 (Wallis)
Education:
Other Information: He was a Huguenot, naturalised in 1710.
His daughter Deborah married Samuel Langley, Colchester surgeon.

RAVEN Daniel
Born: 1720
Died:1802
Education:
Practice: surgeon, apothecary and man midwife Hatfield Peverel
Other information: Subscribed to Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Society 
1787-1798.
Petitioned Divisional court in Kelvedon for financial assistance in 1799 aged 79 
and in1801 aged 82, as not havingú20 p.a. to support himself.

RAWLINS Henry
Born:
Died:
Education: Apprentice to John Wyatt, citizen and surgeon of London 1775
Practice: surgeon, Witham
Other information: Subscribed to Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Soc178-
1801.
George Simpson apprenticed to him for five years ú105; Jeremiah Daniel 
apprenticed to him for three yearsú120.

RAWLINS Thomas
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon,  Witham (UBD1791-4)
Other information:

RAY Edward
Born:
Died: 22nd February 1868
Education: LSA 1838, MD FRCS
Practice: surgeon, Clare (Suff)
Other information:

RAYNER John
Born: 
Died:
Practice:  surgeon, Wivenhoe                                                                                                                                   
Education: 1730, apprenticed to Horace Flack of Wivenhoe, for six years forú50
surgeon
Other information: Attended the poor in the parish of Fingringhoe for one year 
in1742 forú2.10s.
Married Sarah Cooper, daughter of Thomas Cooper (gent of Wivenhoe) and of 
Margaret Cock of Colchester

RAYNER John
Born: 1750
Died: 1804
Education:in 1773 was apprenticed to Smeeth Rayner surgeon Great Dunmow, 
for seven years forú105.  Member of Corporation of Surgeons1779-83
Practice: surgeon and apothecary, Great Dunmow
Other information: attended inaugural meeting of Essex and Herts Benevolent 
Medical Society (30/10/1786) and was a member until 1801, was responsible for 
improving the pond at Dunmow now called the DoctorÆs Pond.

RAYNER Smith (Smeeth)
Born:
Died:
Education: apprenticed to Thomas Carew, 1729-30 apothecary of Colchester
Practice: surgeon, Great Dunmow
Other information: John Rayner apprenticed to him for seven years ú105

REID Ronald William
Born: 1926
Died: 24 June 1968
Education: St Thomas Hosp winning many prizes. MB.BS 1928 .MS 1929, FRCS 
1930
Practice: GP then Hon Consultant Surgeon at EssexCounty Hosp 1929-1968
Other Information:  the first fully trained Surgeon at Colchester, his outstanding 
ability and driving force established the high standing surgical services.                                      
He revived the Colchester Medical Society, started the Surgical Club with Sir  
Ogilvie.                                                                                                                                                              
He founded the Private Oaks Hospital ôThe Oaksö at19 Lexden Rd, in 1949.
Lived at North Hill House in 1929, then 19 Lexden Rd , then Crepping Hall, Wakes 
Colne and finally in Dedham
Married twice, had one son and 3 daughters, the eldest became Countess 
Rosbery

REILLEY
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon, Coggeshall
Other information: in partnedship with Dr Nott at Gravel House Coggeshall 
(P1835)

RENNY Eustace George
Born: 8-11-1867
Died: 4-10-1941
Education: MRCS,LRCP1892
Practice: GP and Hon Consultant Surgeon Essex County Hosp 1914-1932
Other information: lived at St MaryÆs House 1895; 16 Crouch St (Odeon 
cinema)1902; Tymperleys 1930-34 them moved to Horsham.

REYNOLDS Arthur
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: Chemist and Druggist on the High st Braintree (Kelly 1862)
Other information

REYNOLDS Robert
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon, Steeple Bumpstead 1862-1899
Other information:

RICHARD Edward William(s)
Born:
Died:
Education: MRCS, LSA
Practice: surgeon, Great Bandfield, Finchingfield 1855-63
Other information:

RICHARD le BARBOUR
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: Colchester chirurgeon
Other information:admitted Freeman of Colchester 1324

RICHARDS George
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: physician and surgeon, Great Dunmow (Kelly1878)
Other information:

RICHARDSON John
Born:
Died: 1768
Education: admitted to the Colchester Grammar school 11/4/1709
Practice: Colchester apothecary in the Parish of St Runwalds
Other information: He was married in 1757 to Sarah who died in 1776. û
Martin Bayles apprenticed to him for seven years in1721 for ú50.
He inherited many properties including Tymperleys and Lexden House, from his 
uncle (Charles Richardson) who left them to him in his will in 1723 thus making 
him a rich man and his daughters a good catch
He is buried at St. Runwalds.
He is the grandfather of Dr Robert Richardson NEWELL founder of the Colchester 
Med Soc

RICHMOND Richard
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon,Brook House Great Bardfield 1890-99
Other information:

RICKARBY Arthur George
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggist, Walton -on-the-Naze,1878-92
Other information: 

RIDDICK
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon, Dunmow
Other information: Subscribed to Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Society 
1787-1804

RIX William Beloe
Born:
Died:
Education: LSA 10/5/1823
Practice: surgeon,Stansted Essex
Other information:

ROBERTS Charles Gordon
Born:
Died:
Education: MA,MB BC (Cantab)
Practice: Physician and surgeon,Halstead hospital, appointed MO Jan 1927 for 
about 30 years. 
Other information: Lived and practiced on Trinity St. Halstead 1898

ROBERTS J. Lloyd
Born:
Died:
Education: MB BA MSc (Lon)
Practice: psychiatrist, Essex Hall, Colchester (Kelly 1890 -92)
Other information:

ROBINS John Andrew
Born: 1737
Died: 1797
Education:
Practice: surgeon and apothecary, Wivenhoe
Other information: early member of Colchester Medical society 1778.
Subscribed to Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Society years: 1787-1795

ROBINSON John Gonner
Born:
Died:
Education: LSA 1834
Practice:  surgeon,Colchester
Other information:

ROBINSON Reuben
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon,Maldon 1641
Other information:

ROBINSON William B
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: physician, Halstead (Kelly 1890)
Other information:

ROBJENT/ROBIENT John
Born:
Died: 1713
Education: Certified by Richard Strutt and John Long (surgeons) and J. Bowes 
(MD) dated 20th July 1706. Licenced by John Johnson on behalf of the Bishop of 
London.
Practice: barber surgeon, Maldon
Other information: John Merrill, son of John Merril barber surgeon of Kelvedon, 
apprenticed to John Robjent barber surgeon,for seven years ú69 in 1712

ROBSON Thomas Stretton
Born:
Died:
Education: LRCP, MRCS
Practice: physician and surgeon, St Osyth (Kelly1902)
Other information:

ROCHESTER John
Born:
Died:
Education: Licenced by the Bishop of London 16th November 1632
Practice: physician, Lawford
Other information:

ROCKHILL John Gooch
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: druggist, Great Dunmow 1848 - 1855
Other information:

RODDAM George
Born:
Died: 11/10/1838
Education:
Practice: surgeon Colchester. 1835-39,
Had been in the Royal Navy 1815 1831.was Physician to Charlotte Princess of 
Wales and naval physician to King George IV
Other information: he lived in the first house on the west side of what is now 
Sussex road.Roddam Close is named after him

RODICK Septimus
Born:
Died:
Education: LSA 1832
Practice: surgeon, Halstead
Other information: Married Miss Skingley of Colne. He had two daughters and a 
son. The son gave way to drink and was seen in the tramp ward of the Colchester 
Union Workhouse (now St. MaryÆs Workhouse). Septimus Rodick got into the 
same habit and was always drunk if he had the money.
Eventually, his heart failed and he died just as he was turning into Lexdon road, a 
few yards from his house.
Elected to Colchester Medical Society in 1849, was President in 1858.

RODON John
Born:
Died:
Education: Licenced by the Bishop of London in 8th July 1697
Practice: physician and surgeon, Harwich and Ipswich 
Other information:

ROGERS George
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon, Manningtree 1791-1827
Other information: Elected to Colchester Medical Society,1798
David Dunn apprenticed to George Rogers for 6 years ú63,
Subscribed to Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Society  1787-1809 ,

ROGERS John
Born:
Died:
Education: may have been a pupil of Sir Astley Cooper,
Practice: surgeon Manningtree
Other information: He was the son of Robert Rogers, clerk of Dedham
He married Elizabeth Nunn in 1772
Apothecary Major to British Hospitals in Germany
Early member of Colchester Med Soc 1779,
Attended a meeting of the Essex and Herts Benevolent Medical Society on the 
7th January 1790,
Thomas Carter apprenticed to John Rogers for seven years ú103 in 1777,
William Blain apprenticed to John Rogers for seven years ú120 in 1784
John S Taylor apprenticed to John Rogers for seven years.ú120 in1788

ROLFE ( ROLPH) William
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: physician and surgeon, Bocking 18325-1866
Other information:

RONALD Basil
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: Surgeon, Great Bandfield,1886-88
Other information:

ROOK Eustace Henry
Born:
Died:
Education: LDS
Practice: dentist ,Saffron Waldon 1894
Other information:

ROOT George
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: druggist, Great Dunmow 1791 (UBD)
Other information:

ROPER Edward
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggist North Hill: Colchester, 1845
Other information:

ROPER Richard (and Mrs)
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggist, Dunmow, 18661-1902
Other information:

ROSE Alfred
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggistBrightlingsea,1902
Other information:

ROSE John
Born:
Died:
Education: Certified by Robert Sherwood and Thomas Jacob (chirurgeons) 
Licensed by Henry Newton on behalf of the Bishop of London 13th February 
1695
Practice: surgeon, Felstead
Other information:

ROTH Ernest John Harold
Born: 1896
Died:
Education: MRCS, LRCP1924 (St Barts) DMRE 1925(Cantab)
Practice: Physician East Suffolk and Ipswich hospital (electrotherapeutic 
department); first radiologist at St. PeterÆs Hospital; director of the X-Ray 
department, Royal Masonic Hospital.
Radiologist Essex County Hlosp1925-26 then St PeterÆs Hosp, London
Other information: Was in the army and invalided out in 1919.He set up private 
Xray machine (DEAN cost ú200) in Dr BradshawÆs house: Crouched Friars
Emigrated to Sweden after resigning abruptly then returned to England, hobbies 
were gardening and going to the ballet (when he was younger also motor racing)

ROW Frederick
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggist, Braintree 1866-1902
Other information:

ROWE John
Born: 1743
Died: 17 March 1791 (aged 48)
Education:
Practice: druggist, Colchester, 
Other information: He is caricatured, as an honest man, by E.P.Strutt
buried at All Saints, with wife Susannah who died in1784 aged46

ROWGHT William
Born:
Died:
Education: Licensed by the Bishop of London 20th October 1697 certified by 
John Holmstead and John Hove (surgeons)
Practice: surgeon, Colchester 
Other information: his will is dated 20th October 1734 

RUDLAND Richard
Born:
Died:
Education: LRCP, LRCS (Edin)
Practice: physician and surgeon DÆArcy House Tolleshunt DÆArcy  1898-1902 
(Kelly)
Other information:

RUSH Thomas D.                                                                                                                                       
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice:  chemist, druggist, newsvendor Town St, Thaxted 1848-50 (Kelly)
Other information:

RUST Henry Robert Glover
Born:
Died:
Education: LSA1839 MRCS
Practice: surgeon, Dunmow, Little Saling, Wethersfield, 1845-1902
Other information:

RUST James
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: chemist and druggist, Town St, Thaxted, 1862-92
Other information:

RUST John
Born:
Died:
Education: licensed by Bishop of London 1623 (Roach)
Practice: physician and surgeon, Kelvedon
Other information:

RUST William
Born:
Died:
Education:
Practice: surgeon, Great Saling 1855-66 (Kelly)
Other information:

RYAN Joseph Michael
Born: 1851
Died: 1935
Education: MRCS( Dublin) 1874, MB (Durham) 1879
Practice: surgeon, Colchester
Other information: Was doctor in Merchant Navy, he came to Colchester in1880 
as assistant to Dr Brough.
He married Alice Smith in 1905 and had a son and a daughter who married Dr 
Cameron,
Elected to Colchester Med Soc 1882, Lived at 9 then 10 East Hill
 a ômost disagreeable Irishman of whom the least said the betterö (P.Laver),
He insisted on a clean dinner plate being brought for him in visiting a house to 
put his top hat on.
Shot his horses as a protest when the National Insurance Bill was introduced as 
he thought his practice was finished.

RYGATE Henry Bertram
Born:
Died:
Education: BA, MB
Practice: surgeon, Head St, Halstead, 1898-99 (Kelly)
Other information: