Sir William Fordyce, M.D., was the brother of Dr. John Fordyce before mentioned (Roll, vol. ii, p. 212), was born at Aberdeen in 1724, and educated at Marischal college. His medical knowledge was probably acquired at Edinburgh, as I see he was admitted a member of the Medical Society of that city 22nd December, 1744. He joined the army as a volunteer, and afterwards served as surgeon on the coast of France and in the wars of Germany. Upon the establishment of peace he settled as a surgeon in London, and attained to considerable business. In 1770 he was created doctor of medicine at Cambridge by royal mandate, and was admitted a Licentiate of the College of Physicians 10th April, 1786. He was knighted by George the Third in 1787, and died at his house in Brook-street, Grosvenor-square, after a long and severe illness, 4th December, 1792, aged sixty-eight. He was the author of—
A Review of the Venereal Disease and its Remedies. 8vo. Lond. 1767.
A new Inquiry into the Causes, Symptoms, and Cure of Putrid and Inflammatory Fevers, with an Appendix on the Hectic Fever and on the Ulcerated Sore Throat. 8vo. Lond. 1773.
The great Importance and proper Method of cultivating and curing Rhubarb in Britain for Medical Uses. 8vo. Lond. 1784.
Fragmenta Chirurgica et Medica. 8vo. Lond. 1784.
A Letter to Sir John Sinclair on the Virtues of Muriatic Acid in curing Putrid Diseases. 8vo. Lond. 1790.

William Munk