Biography

Andrew Douglas. (-)

A Doctor and a friend of Boswell. In 1762-63 he had a practice in Pall Mall, London. He was married to Mary and had a son, George Douglas.

Life with James Boswell:

Boswell stayed with Douglas for the first week of his 1762-3 stay in London. Later on he was a frequent houseguest, and it was also Douglas who treated Boswell for Gonorrhea "by confining the patient to his room, rest, skimpy diet, medicines and bloodletting.
" (Link) It was on January 20, 1763 that Boswell was diagnosed with Gonorrhea after his affair with Louisa Lewis. One of the bloodlettings is mentioned on January 30, 1763.

During his stay with them in November 1762 he quickly grew tired of Mrs. Douglas who apparently talked way to much (LJ 19/11 & 24/11-62). He seems to have warmed towards her later on - on January 8, 1763 he apparently met her at the Goulds' where the two of them "chatted away with much vivacity". I am not quite sure that the Mrs. Douglas mentioned on this day is not the one married to James Douglas, but Pottle identifies her as the wife of Dr. Andrew. He dined at her place on January 15, 1763, but again he may be referring to the other Mrs. Douglas.

This article was last updated at February 16 2008 21:39:43 CET

Other links of possible interest