Richard Middleton Massey, M.D., was born in Cheshire, and was the eldest son of Edward Massey, esq, of Rostherne, in that county, by his wife Elizabeth Bowles. He spent some terms at Brasenose college, Oxford, but left the university without taking a degree. He was admitted an Extra-Licentiate of the College 23rd November, 1706, and settled at Wisbeach, in Cambridgeshire, where he practised for some years with great success. He was created doctor of medicine by the university of Aberdeen, 7th March, 1720, when, leaving Wisbeach, he fixed his abode at Stepney, and was admitted an Honorary Fellow of the College of Physicians 19th January, 1725-6. Dr. Massey was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1718, and acted as secretary in 1725 and 1726. He was admitted a fellow of the Royal Society 19th February, 1712. He compiled and published "A Catalogue of the Library at Wisbeach." 8vo. 1718. He also prepared a catalogue of the library of the College of Physicians, and on the 30th September, 1727, was for his trouble in so doing voted 10l, to buy a piece of plate. Eventually he returned to his native county, and dying at Rostherne 29th March, 1743, aged sixty-five, was buried in the chancel of the church there. Over him is a flagstone inscribed as follows:—
Here lieth interred the body of
Richard Middleton Massey,
(son of Edward Massey, of Rostherne, Gent.)
M.D. Honorary Fellow of the College of
Physicians, and Fellow of the Royal Society of London.
Obiit. 29mo Martii, a.d. 1743.

Dr. Massey’s annotated copy of the Pharmacopœia Londinensis is in the College, and has been of much assistance to me.

William Munk