Francis Anthony

Dr. Francis Anthony, London, (16 April 1550 – 26 May 1623) was a 16th-century physician and chemist. His father was a goldsmith in London, employed in the jewel office of Queen Elizabeth. He attended the University of Cambridge, receiving a master of arts degree in 1574. He studied the theory and practice of chemistry, leaving Cambridge at the age of 40. In 1598, he sent abroad his first treatise concerning the excellency of a medicine drawn from gold.

He commenced medical practice in London without a License from the college of Physicians, and after six months was called before the president of the college of Physicians. He was interdicted practice; for disregarding this injunction, he was fined five pounds and committed to prison, whence he was released by a warrant of the lord chief justice. The college however got him recommitted and Anthony submitted. Being again prosecuted for the same offense and refusing to pay a heavy fine, he was kept in prison eight months until released on petition of his wife on the grounds of poverty in 1602. But he continued to practice in defiance of the college and further proceedings were threatened but not carried out, probably because Anthony had powerful friends in court.

His practice consisted chiefly, if not entirely, in the prescription and sale of a secret remedy called "Aurum Potabile", which means "Drinkable Gold" in Latin, from which he derived a considerable fortune.

Francis married Susan Howe. He died 26 May 1623, Leaving two sons, John and Charles. John became a Physician in London and Charles practiced at Bedford. According to the writer of the Biographia Britanica (1747 i 169) who professed to have derived his information from family manuscripts, Anthony was a man of high character and very liberal to the poor.

He died in his seventy fourth year and was buried in the church of St. Bartholomew the Great, in the isle that joins the north side of the chancel, where a Handsome monument has been erected to his memory with a very remarkable inscription:

            "Sacred to the memory of the worthy and learned Francis Anthony, Dr. of Physic"
                            "There needs no verse to beautify thy praise,
                               Or keep in memory thy spotless name.
                             Religion, virtue and thy skill did rise
                               A three-fold pillar to thy lasting fame.
                               Though poisonous envy ever fought to blame
                             Or hide the fruits of thy intention,
                               Yet shall they commend that high design
                               Of purest gold to make a medicine,
                             That feel thy help by that, thy rare invention."

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