Richard Short, MD, was descended from a Suffolk family, but was actually born in London, and was the son of Thomas Short (presumably the Fellow of the College before mentioned, p.377), and his wife Elizabeth Cresner. When twelve years of age he was sent to the English secular college at Douay, where he arrived 20th May, 1682. Having completed his humanities at Douay, he returned to England, and was admitted a fellow of Magdalen college on the displacement by James II of the protestant fellows, who refused to submit to the king’s visitorial power. On the restoration of the protestant fellows, Short returned to Douay, where he arrived 16th November, 1688. Having spent two years there in the study of philosophy, he set out for Montpelier, in order to study physic. There he proceeded doctor of medicine 26th March, 1694, and then passed on into Italy, to perfect himself in his profession. Returning homewards, he passed some months in Paris, intent on the study of anatomy and operations.

Settling in London, he was admitted a Licentiate of the College of Physicians 22nd December, 1696, “became a noted practitioner, and had a special regard for the poor, whom he attended in cellars and garrets, not only in quality of physician, but occasionally administering to them both as to their temporal and spiritual necessities. His zeal at last in visiting the poor having prejudiced his health, he was cut off in his prime about the year 1708.”(1)

William Munk

[(1) Dodd’s Church History, vol.iii, p.460.]