JOHN SIMON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 01/31/1879 - HFSID 274495

JOHN SIMON
Handwritten letter regarding a dinner meeting, dated 1879!
Autograph Letter Signed: "John Simon.", 1p, 4½x7. 40 Kensington Square, 1879 January 31. To "My dear Trimmer". In full: "See over, [pointing finger drawn]. - I think that, if we had had it before us yesterday, we should have agreed to send him a ticket for the dinner as well as the oration, and, if the Vs would approve, I should be most glad to do so. Among 'Literary gents', we ought perhaps to have remembered Dr. Will. (Dictionary) Smith. And did we remember the British museum, especially Bond and Birch? I spoke of having our last dinner-settlement meeting on Tuesday next, but find I could not so conveniently [word crossed out] be with you on that day for the purpose as on Thursday. So, if that will suit you, please let me change. Yours ever". Handwritten postscript: "Please send [illegible] to Howie". The "see over" that Simon references is a handwritten (signature illegible) request for tickets to an oration by Professor Humphreys. In part: "I am anxious to hear Prof. Humphreys [illegible] oration and I should be much obliged if you would kindly send me a card of admission...." Ink note (unknown hand) at upper margin: "2 tickets sent". At the time of this letter, Simon was President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (1878-1879) and President of the Royal Society (1879-1880). British surgeon and sanitary reformer John Simon (1816-1904) began his medical career at St. Thomas' Hospital in 1833. Named a member (1838) and Fellow (1844) of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, he was Senior Assistant Surgeon at King's College Hospital from 1840-1847. From 1848-1855, Simon was Officer of Health to the City of London before serving as Chief Medical Officer of Health to the General Board of Health from 1855-1876. During his tenure in those positions, he built up the state medical department, developed a system for vaccinating and was influential in the passage of the Sanitary Act (1866) and the Public Health Act (1875). Simon was knighted in 1887. Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Lightly soiled, stray ink mark to left of closing. Otherwise, fine condition.