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Great Britain - 1789

The Reverend Francis Willis

Obverse:

Draped bust of Francis Willis, bare head three-quarter left.

Legend:

DOCTOR WILLIS.

Size:

33 mm.

Edge:

Plain

Reverse:

BRITONS / REJOICE / YOUR KING'S / RESTORED. / 1789.

Vern's Comments:

The Spingarn Collection of Conder Tokens #119

British Commemorative Medals, Eimer #828

Great Britain — Middlesex

D & H 220 — London

O: Three-quarter bust to left. DOCTOR WILLIS.

A. 44

R: BRITONS | REJOICE | YOUR KING'S | RESTORED.

E: Plain

Struck in silver, copper, and white metal.

BHM:

AR RR; AE RR; Pr. N.
D & H. Middx 220; Hr. 4590.
BM; NMI; NMW; UM

The Reverend Francis Willis (1718 - 1807), was a clergyman rather than a physician although he is also described as such in the Dictionary of National Biography. Willis was concerned with the treatment of George III for his illness which in 1966 was diagnosed as a classic case of porphyria. The disease was unknown until the twentieth century however, and in the eighteenth century the King was believed to be mad. The Reverend Willis had become well known for his study of insanity and had for thirty years kept a private asylum in Lincolnshire where he had treated his patients 'rom motives of principle and charity towards his fellow creatures'. Willis claimed a high rate of cure and being the only 'physician' consulted who claimed to be able to cure the King, he was called upon to attend him. The first meeting took place on 5th December 1788.

The Reverend Francis Willis