Charles Morton (librarian)

Charles Morton
Born	10 September 1716
Died	10 February 1799
Nationality	British
Alma mater	Leiden University
Occupation	Librarian

Charles Morton MD (1716–1799) was an English medical doctor and librarian who became the principal librarian of the British Museum.

Morton first attended Leiden University from 18 September 1736. Some time before 1745, he moved to Kendal, Westmoreland, where he practiced as a physician. He then practiced in London for several years, and on 19 April 1750 he was elected physician to the Middlesex Hospital. He was admitted licentiate of the College of Physicians on 1 April 1751.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 16 January 1752 and was secretary of the Royal Society from 1760 to 1774. He was also a member of the Academy of St Petersburg.

In 1754 also became physician to the Foundling Hospital. In June 1754, Lady Vere, wife of Vere Beauclerk, wrote a letter of recommendation for Doctor Morton to temporarily replace Doctor Conyers who had recently resigned. The recommendation was followed through in July 1754 when he was appointed to attend for the time being.

By 1756, he was appointed under librarian of the British Museum. At the British Museum, Morton was initially a medical under-librarian in charge of manuscripts in the Cotton, Harley, Sloane, and Royal collections. On the death of Matthew Maty in 1776, Morton was appointed principal librarian and held the office till his death.

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