John Arbuthnot

John Arbuthnot

John Bull - World War I recruiting poster

Acta Eruditorum - III musa arabum pala plinii, 1734 – BEIC 13446956

John Arbuthnot (1667 – 27 February 1735) was a Scottish physician, satirist, and mathematician. He is best known for his contributions to literature, mathematics, and medicine, and for his association with the Scriblerus Club, which included prominent figures such as Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and John Gay. Arbuthnot is often credited with the creation of the fictional character John Bull, who became a national symbol of England.

Early Life and Education

John Arbuthnot was born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, in 1667. He was the son of a Church of Scotland minister. Arbuthnot attended the University of Aberdeen, where he excelled in mathematics and obtained a Master's degree. He later pursued a career in medicine, studying at the University of St Andrews and the University of Leiden, where he received his medical degree.

Career

After completing his education, Arbuthnot moved to London, where he initially struggled to establish his medical practice. His fortunes changed when he successfully treated the son of the Earl of Macclesfield, which led to his appointment as a physician at Chelsea Hospital and later as the personal physician to Queen Anne.

Arbuthnot's medical contributions include works on epidemiology and nutrition. He was a pioneer in the use of statistics to study the impact of disease, and his work on the health benefits of a varied diet was ahead of its time.

In addition to his medical career, Arbuthnot was a prolific writer and a central figure in the Scriblerus Club, contributing to the club's satirical works that mocked pedantry and ignorance. His most famous literary contribution is the creation of John Bull, a character that first appeared in the pamphlet "Law is a Bottomless Pit" (1712) and represented the typical Englishman.

Mathematical Contributions

Arbuthnot is also known for his work in mathematics, particularly for Arbuthnot's test, a statistical test of significance that he introduced in his analysis of birth records to show the divine providence of a higher birth rate of males compared to females.

Legacy

John Arbuthnot's legacy is multifaceted, reflecting his diverse talents and interests. He is remembered as a pioneer in the use of statistics in medicine, a founding figure in English satire, and the creator of a national symbol. His contributions to literature, mathematics, and medicine have left a lasting impact on each of these fields.

Death

John Arbuthnot died on 27 February 1735 in London. His contributions to various fields have ensured his place in history as a significant figure in the early 18th century.