JAMES PRIMROSE 1580 (?)-1659

Abstract

James Primrose, a somewhat prolific seventeenth century writer, is far better known as an opponent of Harvey's views on the circulation of the blood than as a pediatrician. His grandfather, Gilbert Primrose, was surgeon to James VI and his wife, Alison Graham. His father was a clergyman, who, owing to his religious views, emigrated to France. James was born at St. Jean d'Angely. He received his M.A. degree at Bordeaux and his doctorate from Montpellier in 1617. He was incorporated at Oxford in 1628 and admitted as a Licentiate of the College of Physicians in 1629. He settled at Hull, in Yorkshire, where he practiced for years, and, as Sir Anthony Wood says "was esteemed an eminent physician." He married Louise de Hankmont in 1640 at the Walloon Church in London. He died in 1659, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church in Hull. Primrose was steeped in the teachings