Thomas Percival

Thomas Percival FRS FRSE FSA (1740–1804) was an English physician and author, best known for crafting perhaps the first modern code of medical ethics. He drew up a pamphlet with the code in 1794 and wrote an expanded version in 1803, Medical Ethics, or a Code of Institutes and Precepts, Adapted to the Professional Conduct of Physicians and Surgeons in which he coined the expression "medical ethics". He was also a pioneering campaigner for public health measures and factory regulation in Manchester.

Life

He was born at Warrington at Lancashire, the son of Joseph and Margaret (née Orred) Percival. He lost both his parents when he was three years old, so his older sister was responsible for his early education. Once he was old enough, he was placed in a private academy in his home town. He also spent time in a free grammar-school. In 1757, he was enrolled as the first student at Warrington Academy. After achieving a good reputation in classical and theological studies, he transferred to Edinburgh in 1761 (as a Dissenter he could not attend an English University). He achieved his M.D. degree in 1765 and became a fellow to the Royal Society, through a recommendation by his friend and patron Lord Willoughby de Parham, the same year. In 1771 he hosted Benjamin Franklin in Manchester, who had been a fellow guest of Rev. John Mitchell at Thornhill Rectory; other guests being Joseph Priestley and Messrs. Smeaton and Pringle. He was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1789.

Thomas Percival (antiquarian)

Thomas Percival (1719–1762) was an English antiquary.

Life

The son of Richard Percival of Royton Hall, near Oldham in Lancashire, he was born there on 1 September 1719. He was brought up a Presbyterian, but joined the Church of England A Whig in politics, he was an advocate of the Hanoverian succession.

Percival was elected Fellow of the Royal Society on 25 November 1756, and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London on 12 June 1760. He died in December 1762, and was buried in St. Paul's Church, Royton.

Works

In 1748 Percival wrote two pamphlets in opposition to local High Church clergy: A Letter to the Reverend the Clergy of the Collegiate Church of Manchester, and Manchester Politics: a Dialogue between Mr. Trueblew and Mr. Whiglove. He attacked in particular John Clayton, who had demonstrated Jacobite sympathies during the 1745 rebellion. In this he was following up Josiah Owen and his Jacobite and Non-juring Principles freely Examined (1747).

In 1758 Percival took part with some weavers in a dispute with their masters about wages. He published about his experiences A Letter to a Friend occasioned by the late Dispute betwixt the Check-Makers of Manchester and their Weavers; and the Check-Makers' Ill-usage of the Author, Halifax, 1759.