Thomas Dimsdale

Thomas Dimsdale
Born	Template:Birth date Theydon Garnon, Essex, England
Died	December 30, 1800(1800-12-30) (aged 88)
Occupation(s)	Physician, banker, parliamentarian
Years active	1734–1800
Known for	Smallpox inoculation of Catherine the Great; Member of Parliament for Hertford

Baron Thomas Dimsdale (29 May 1712 – 30 December 1800) was an English physician, banker, and parliamentarian who represented Hertford in the House of Commons between 1780 and 1790. After successfully performing smallpox inoculations on Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, he was bestowed the noble title Baron Dimsdale by the Russian Empire. His cousin, housekeeper, and third spouse, Elizabeth Dimsdale, was known for her diaries and collection of recipes.

Early life

Thomas Dimsdale was born in Theydon Garnon, Essex, to John Dimsdale, a surgeon, and his wife Susan. Raised in a Quaker household, he received medical training within the family before advancing his education at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. He commenced his medical career in Hertford in 1734.

Careers

Dimsdale's medical expertise focused on smallpox prevention through inoculation (also termed variolation), which involved introducing a mild form of the virus to induce immunity against more severe infections. His 1767 work, The present method of inoculating for the small-pox, was well received and had reached five editions by 1769—the same year he became a Fellow of the Royal Society.

By 1762, Dimsdale had gained recognition in London society and received an invitation to Russia to variolate Empress Catherine the Great and her son, Grand Duke Paul. In 1768, accompanied by his second son Nathaniel Dimsdale, he inoculated over 140 members of the Russian imperial court. The success of these procedures resulted in a financial reward of £10,000, an annual pension of £500, coverage of £2,000 in expenses, and elevation to the Russian Barony; Nathaniel was similarly honored. Plans were made for swift departure should any adverse events occur. While preparing for this mission, Dimsdale authored Tracts on inoculation written and published at St Petersburg in the year 1768.

After returning to England, Dimsdale shifted focus to banking, becoming involved in firms such as Dimsdale, Archer & Byde located in Cornhill and later Staples, Baron Dimsdale, Son & Co. He secured election as Member of Parliament for Hertford in 1780 and retained his seat following the 1784 election. In 1781, he and Nathaniel traveled again to Russia to perform further royal inoculations.

Family

Dimsdale married three times: initially to Mary Brassey of Roxford, Hertfordshire; secondly to Anne Iles, daughter of John Iles, with whom he fathered seven sons and two daughters; and finally to Elizabeth Dimsdale, daughter of his cousin Joseph Dimsdale from Bishop's Stortford. Elizabeth remained closely connected to the family throughout her life and was noted for her diaries and correspondence. The Russian Barony was inherited by his eldest son John and continued within the family line until it ceased with John's son Nathaniel’s death without heirs.

Death

Residing in Bengeo, Hertford, Hertfordshire—where a street named Dimsdale Street partly borders his former estate—he passed away in 1800. His burial took place at the Quaker cemetery in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.