Alexander Hunter

Dr Alexander Hunter (1729–17 May 1809) was a Scottish physician, known also as a writer and editor. Life Born in Edinburgh in 1729 (the Memoir says 1733), he was eldest son of a prosperous druggist. He was sent to the grammar school at the age of 10, and from the age of 15 until 21 attended the University of Edinburgh, studying medicine in the last three years. He spent the next year or two studying in London, in Rouen (under Le Cat), and in Paris (under Petit), and on his return to Edinburgh received his doctorate (MD) in 1753 (thesis, 'De Cantharidibus'). After practising for a few months at Gainsborough, and a few years at Beverley, he was invited to York in 1763, on the death of Dr Perrot, and continued to practise there until his death in 1809. In 1772 Hunter set to work to establish the York Lunatic Asylum. The building was finished in 1777, and Hunter was physician to it for many years. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society (London) in 1777, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1792. His proposers for the latter were Dr Andrew Duncan, Daniel Rutherford, and Sir James Hall. He was also made an honorary member of the Board of Agriculture.