Sir George Leman Tuthill, M.D., was born in Suffolk, and educated at Caius college, Cambridge, as a member of which he proceeded A.B. in 1794, and was fifth wrangler of his year. Shortly after this he married, and having gone to Paris, was, with his wife, included among the numerous English detenus. After a captivity of several years, his wife was recommended to make a direct appeal to the generosity of the First Consul. Providing herself with a petition, she encountered Napoleon and his suite on their return from hunting, and respectfully presented her memorial. The result was propitious, and in a few days they were on their road to England.
He then returned to Cambridge, proceeded A.M. in 1809, had a licence ad practicandum from the University, dated 25th November, 1812, and commenced M.D. in 1816. He was admitted an Incep-tor Candidate of the College of Physicians,12th April, 1813; a Candidate 30th September, 1816; and a Fellow 30th September, 1817. He was Gulstonian lecturer in 1818, and Censor in 1819, 1830. He received the honour of knighthood, 28th April, 1820.
Sir George Tuthill was physician to the Westminster and to Bethlehem hospitals, both of which appointments he retained to his death, which occurred at his house in Cavendisli-square, from inflammation of the larynx, on the 7th April, 1835. He was buried at St. Alban’s.(1) Sir George Tuthill was a sound classical scholar and a good chemist. He was one of the most active members of the committee for the preparation of the Pharmacopoeia Londinensis of 1824, and was responsible for the language of the work itself.
An English version of that work by Sir George Tuthill appeared coincidently with the original. He was also engaged on the Pharmacopoeia of 1836, but died the year before it appeared. "Under a cold exterior, Sir George Tuthill carried a very warm heart, and was much beloved by his patients and friends. He was peculiarly straightforward in his transactions, and was always actuated by the finest feelings of a gentleman and honourable man. His friendship was not readily given ; it was never slightly withdrawn. Sir George was strictly a sententious speaker ; he spoke in quick, short sentences, seldom uttering a word more than the occasion required, or omitting one that was necessary."(2)
William Munk
[(1) "Erant in Tuthillio plurimæ litteræ, neceæ vulgares, sed reconditæ. Erant illi ex severâ disciplinâ derivata et penitùs animo infixa ea Matheseos principia, quæ ad philosophiam colendam planè necessaria sunt. Testes est Cantabrigia, quæ primi ordinis honores ei detulerat. Testes vos estis, qui in Pharmacopœiâ ista olim condenda, et in aiterà jam in lucem proditurâ auxilium ejus apprime utile cognovistis—et quicquid è chemiâ feliciter hauserat summâ modestia summo tamen studio prolatum. Erat in illo, porrò, gravitas sine severitate, et cunctatio quaedam respondendi, ut nihil non consideratum exiret ab ore. Accedebat, etiam, judicium acre, limatum, exercitatum et benignitas quædam et clementia quæ eum ad mentis morbos tractandos præ cæteris aptum habilemque reddiderant." Oratio ex Harveii Instituto auctore Henr. Halford, Bart. 1835.
(2) Gent.Mag., July, 1835.]