Nathaniel St André

Nathaniel st andre

Nathaniel St André (1680–1776) was a Swiss physician and anatomist who is most famously known for his involvement in the Mary Toft rabbit birth hoax in 1726. Born in Switzerland, St André moved to England where he carved out a career in medicine, eventually becoming the anatomist to King George I.

Early Life and Education

Little is known about the early life and education of Nathaniel St André. It is believed that he was born in Switzerland in 1680 and later moved to England to pursue a career in medicine. His early medical training and education details are scarce, but by the early 18th century, he had established himself as a physician in England.

Career

St André's career took a significant turn when he became involved in the case of Mary Toft in 1726. Mary Toft, a woman from Godalming, Surrey, claimed to have given birth to rabbits. St André, among other prominent physicians of the time, was called to examine her. He became convinced of the veracity of her claims and published a pamphlet titled "A Short Narrative of an Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbits," which detailed the case.

This incident significantly damaged St André's reputation. His belief in the hoax led to widespread ridicule, and he became a subject of mockery in the medical community and the public. Despite this, he continued to serve as an anatomist to King George I until the king's death in 1727.

Later Life

After the rabbit birth hoax, details about St André's later life are sparse. He continued to practice medicine, but his career never recovered from the scandal. Nathaniel St André died in 1776, largely forgotten by the medical community and the public.

Legacy

Nathaniel St André's legacy is primarily tied to the Mary Toft rabbit birth hoax. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of skepticism and critical thinking in the medical profession. It highlights the dangers of allowing personal beliefs to override scientific evidence and the importance of rigorous scrutiny in medical investigations.

See Also

• Mary Toft
• Medical ethics
• History of medicine