Sir Thomas Watson, Bt. 1792-1882 F. 1826 P. 1862-1867

By George Richmond,

Three-quarter length seated, wearing the President's gown, black with heavy gilt braiding; leaning his chin on his right hand; his left hand resting on his knees, holding a book; bald on the crown of the head, white hair, clean-shaven; brown eyes; dark suit, gold ring on the little finger of his left hand; dark background with a pillar to right.

<span class="wrapper"><p>Richmond painted a replica of it the same year, after which it was exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1868 (66). Engraved in mezzotint by Samuel Cousins, 1868, at the commission of the College.</p> <p>A portrait by Samuel Lawrence was shown at the Royal Academy in 1870.</p></span>

Presented in 1867 by the Fellows of the College

Thomas Watson was descended from a family long-settled in Northumberland. After school at Bury St. Edmunds, he entered St. John's College, Cambridge, where he was elected a Fellow, and then studied medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He became physician to the Middlesex Hospital in 1827, but moved to King's College in 1828. His lecrures on the principles and practice of medincine immediately established his reputation, and their publication, in two volumes and many editions, placed him in the first rank of physicians. The retirement of Dr. Chambers about 1848 left Watson the acknowledged head of the medical profession in this country. He was appointed physician-extraordinary to Queen Victoria in 1859, and as such, together with Sir William Jenner and Sir Henry Holland, he was called to attend the Prince Consort in his last illness. He was created baronet in 1866 and physician-in-ordinary to the Queen in 1870.

Sir Thomas Watson was revered by the whole medical profession, and beloved by those who known him best, the members of the Royal College of Physicians, with which institution he was long, intimately, and honourably associated in many capacities, for five years as its President.