Radcliffe, John (1650-1714)

The Radcliffe Camera, Oxford. The building is part of Oxford University's Bodleian Library and was built by the Scottish architect James Gibbs in 1737-49. It is named after John Radcliffe, the 17th-century English physician whose patients included a succession of British monarchs.

English physician. He was a fellow at Lincoln College, Oxford University, in 1669, and began his medical practice in that city. In 1684 he moved to London and was very successful, his patients including the British monarchs, William III, Mary II, and Anne. He was member of Parliament for Buckingham from 1713.

Radcliffe was born in Wakefield, England. He was educated at University College, Oxford University. He bequeathed funds which provided for the building of the Radcliffe Observatory and Infirmary in Oxford, England, for the enlarging of St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, England, and for travelling fellowships in medicine. The Radcliffe Camera, the reading-room of Oxford University's Bodleian Library, is named after him.