| Description | The collection consists of letters to Sir Henry Halford from Princesses Elizabeth, Mary and Augusta; and further correspondence and writings relating to the King's health by Halford's fellow physicians: Dr William Heberden, Dr Matthew Baillie, Dr Robert Willis, Dr David Dundas, and Dr John Willis. It includes a diary written by Halford during his treatment of George III from October 1811-January 1812.
There are two documents dating from a later period: a memorandum by Halford on the day before the death of Queen Charlotte; and a letter from Halford to Lord Holland relating to his paper on the 'death of illustrious persons'. |
| Admin History | Sir Henry Halford, 1st Baronet, was born Henry Vaughan, son of the physician Dr James Vaughan in Leicester. Following his studies in Rugby, Edinburgh and Oxford, Halford moved to London in 1792, and in 1793 was appointed a physician at Middlesex Hospital. In 1793 Halford was also appointed physician extraordinary to George III, becoming physician in ordinary in 1812. In anticipation of an inheritance following the death of Lady Denbigh, widow of his mother's cousin Sir Charles Halford, Dr Henry Vaughn changed his name in 1809 to Halford, and was created a baronet in the same year.
Halford attended Princess Amelia (1783-1810) during her final illness. George III requested that Halford attend to him in the case of a return of his mental illness, which occurred following Princess Amelia's death in 1810 and which would last until the King's death in 1820. Halford was also physician in ordinary to George IV, and attended other members of the Royal Family including Queen Charlotte and Princess Mary. |
| Custodial History | In a private collection until 1952. |