Francis Laking

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Francis Laking Vanity Fair 19 February 1903

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Grave of Sir Francis Henry Laking at Highgate Cemetery

Francis Laking (1847–1914) was a prominent British physician known for his role as the personal doctor to the Royal Family during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His full name was Sir Francis Henry Laking, and he was often referred to as Sir Francis Laking, 1st Baronet, after being created a baronet in 1902.

Early Life and Education

Francis Laking was born in 1847. Details about his early life, including information about his family and where he was raised, are scarce. He pursued a career in medicine, a field in which he would achieve significant recognition. Laking received his medical education at one of the prestigious medical institutions in the United Kingdom, though the specific institution is not documented.

Career

Laking's medical career was distinguished by his service to the British Royal Family. He became the personal physician to Queen Victoria in the latter part of her reign, a position that underscored his reputation as a trusted and skilled doctor. Following Queen Victoria's death in 1901, he continued to serve her successors, including King Edward VII and, briefly, King George V.

His role extended beyond the care of the monarchs themselves; he was involved in the medical affairs of the wider Royal Family, providing treatment and advice to various members. His close relationship with the Royal Family and his position within the royal household were indicative of the high regard in which he was held.

In 1902, in recognition of his services, Francis Laking was created a baronet, becoming Sir Francis Laking, 1st Baronet. This honor was a testament to his contributions to royal welfare and his esteemed position in British society.

Death and Legacy

Sir Francis Henry Laking, 1st Baronet, passed away in 1914. His death marked the end of an era in royal medical service. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Francis Ferdinand Maurice Cook, 2nd Baronet, who inherited the baronetcy through his mother's side of the family, as Laking had no direct male heirs.

Laking's legacy is remembered for his dedication to the health and well-being of the British Royal Family during a period of significant change and modernization in the United Kingdom. His career reflects the important role that physicians played in the lives of the royal household and the esteem in which they were held.

See Also

• Royal Physicians
• Baronet
• Victorian Era
• Edwardian Era