Christopher Tombs Ltd

Description

We are proud to offer for your home this Stunning Portrait of Benjamin Allen (1663-1738) -

An extremely Fine 18th century Oil on Canvas portrait of Dr Benjamin Allen of Braintree in the original impressive carved wooden gilt frame with Paper label on Rear.

The Original Carved Frame with the Original Gilding adds to the overall quality of this painting.

Benjamin Allen, of Braintree, Essex, was the son of Dr Benjamin Allen, possibly a London physician. Benjamin Allen was born in Somerset in 1663. (Somerset was given as his place of birth when he entered Cambridge) He was educated at St Pauls School and then Queen's College Cambridge from April 1861. On 15th April 1688 he took his degree as Bachelor of Medicine at Queen's College. He established a practice at Braintree at around this time. He married Katherine, daughter of Dr Joshua Draper, who practiced in Braintree, and their first child, Thomas, was born in 1697.

Allen was a friend of John Ray (1627-1705) an eminent naturalist in Essex.

Allen published his first paper in 1698 "On the Manner of Generation of Eels" published by the Royal Society. In 1699 he published "An Account of the Scarabaeus Galeatus Pulsator or Death-Watch", and "An Account of the Gall-Bee" again with the Royal Society.

Also in 1699 he published his first scientific work titled " The Natural History of the Chalybeat and Purging Waters of England with their particular essays and uses among which are treated at large the apoplexy and hyperchondriacism: to which are added some observations on the Bath Waters in Somersetshire"

Then in 1711 he published "The Natural History of the Mineral Waters of Great Britain to which are added some observations of the Cicindela or Glow-Worm"

Benjamin Allen died on 28th February 1737/8, aged 75 years. He was buried at Black Notley, Essex, near to the tomb of John Ray. He had two sons and four daughters.

[The information here has been summarised from Christy, Miller "Dr Benjamin Allen (1663-1738) of Braintree: a forgotten Essex Naturalist", an article published in the Essex Naturalist (the Journal of the Essex Field Club), Feb 1911.

It is offered in Country House condition and is ready for immediate delivery to your Home.

Dimensions are 37 inches tall. 32 3/4 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches deep.

We also offer shipping to any part of the World and we welcome you to inquire for a quote?

Please do message us for more details on this item or any other that we have in Stock or why not pay us a visit in the Heart of the Cotswolds.

Thanks for looking.

Chris