Messenger Monsey

Messenger Monsey (baptised 30 October 1694, died 26 December 1788) was an English physician and humourist who became physician to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, a home for injured and elderly soldiers. Known for being eccentric and ill-mannered, he is described in the diaries of Fanny Burney as "Dr. Monso, a strange gross man".

Monsey, son of Robert Monsey, a non-juror cleric, and Mary (daughter of Roger Clopton, rector of Downham), was born at Hackford with Whitwell, Norfolk, and educated at home, at Woodbridge School and at Pembroke College, Cambridge (BA, 1714), before studying medicine under Sir Benjamin Wrench MD of Norwich (d. 1747). Monsey was admitted to the Royal College of Physicians in 1723. He then practised in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, where he never earned more than £300 a year, but married well.

Monsey was lucky enough to be called to treat Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, who was taken ill with apoplexy on the way to Newmarket. Godolphin – taken with Monsey's skill, raucous sense of humour and insolent familiarity – persuaded him to move to London, where he introduced him to patients such as the prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole, Lord Chesterfield and other prominent Whigs. He also built up literary connections. For many years he paid court to the Elizabeth Montagu, writing rhymed letters to her in the style of Swift. His friendship with David Garrick was broken after a quarrel. Dr Johnson disapproved of his coarse wit.

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