Lot Essay
Photo caption: Sir David Davies ( c.1792-1865 ), physician to King William IV and Queen Adelaide
From F. Jones, "Two Illustrious Sons of Cardiganshire," Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society vol. XIII:
David Davies, the second child and only son of Robert Davies of Gorwyad, was brought to the font at Llanndendewibrefi on Sept. 5th 1793. He was educated for the medical profession and when quite a young man left Cardiganshire and entered into practice at Hampton near London. He rose rapidly in his profession, and became assistant to Queen Adelaide's physician, a stepping stone to the position he was later to attain. According to the late Venerable Archdescon Davies of Llandaff, the young medico was once called to attend her Majesty during the absence of his chief. His courtesy and bearing so charmed his royal patient that, shortly afterwards he was appointed physician to King William IV and Queen Adelaide. He had attended their Majesties in his professional capacity some five years before their ascension. Thus, at a very early age, David Davies, the son of a Cardiganshire yeoman, reached the highest step on the ladder by becoming Physician to the King and Queen of England.
Dr. Davies was the recipient of some beautiful royal gifts in the form of silver plate dated 1828, and a snuff box in blue enamel with a Hanoverian crown and the letter "W" worked in diamonds. These are now prized heirlooms in the home of his descendants. He attended King William in his last illness, and received from the Monarchs own hands the dignity of Knight Commander of the Guelphic Order, and a few days before the King died on June 20th 1837 age 72 years and Queen Victoria shortly after her accession on 19th July 1837 conferred at St. James Palace the ancient honour of Knighthood on the royal physician, Sir David, as he now was, remained in the Household as Physician-in Ordinary to the Dowager Queen. He was also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
He married in 1819 Mary Anne, daughter of the Rev. John Williams Clerk in Holy Orders, and celebrated throughout a large party of the Principality as "Yr Hen Syr" headmaster of the Ystrad Mearig School. Sir David Davies died at Lucca, Italy, on May 2nd 1865 and was buried at Biarritz. His death was widely noted in the newspapers and magazines of this day. The court lost a kindly physician, the medical world a distinguished member, and Wales on of her illustrious sons.
From F. Jones, "Two Illustrious Sons of Cardiganshire," Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society vol. XIII:
David Davies, the second child and only son of Robert Davies of Gorwyad, was brought to the font at Llanndendewibrefi on Sept. 5th 1793. He was educated for the medical profession and when quite a young man left Cardiganshire and entered into practice at Hampton near London. He rose rapidly in his profession, and became assistant to Queen Adelaide's physician, a stepping stone to the position he was later to attain. According to the late Venerable Archdescon Davies of Llandaff, the young medico was once called to attend her Majesty during the absence of his chief. His courtesy and bearing so charmed his royal patient that, shortly afterwards he was appointed physician to King William IV and Queen Adelaide. He had attended their Majesties in his professional capacity some five years before their ascension. Thus, at a very early age, David Davies, the son of a Cardiganshire yeoman, reached the highest step on the ladder by becoming Physician to the King and Queen of England.
Dr. Davies was the recipient of some beautiful royal gifts in the form of silver plate dated 1828, and a snuff box in blue enamel with a Hanoverian crown and the letter "W" worked in diamonds. These are now prized heirlooms in the home of his descendants. He attended King William in his last illness, and received from the Monarchs own hands the dignity of Knight Commander of the Guelphic Order, and a few days before the King died on June 20th 1837 age 72 years and Queen Victoria shortly after her accession on 19th July 1837 conferred at St. James Palace the ancient honour of Knighthood on the royal physician, Sir David, as he now was, remained in the Household as Physician-in Ordinary to the Dowager Queen. He was also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
He married in 1819 Mary Anne, daughter of the Rev. John Williams Clerk in Holy Orders, and celebrated throughout a large party of the Principality as "Yr Hen Syr" headmaster of the Ystrad Mearig School. Sir David Davies died at Lucca, Italy, on May 2nd 1865 and was buried at Biarritz. His death was widely noted in the newspapers and magazines of this day. The court lost a kindly physician, the medical world a distinguished member, and Wales on of her illustrious sons.