Portrait of Francis Glisson (1597-1667), philosopher and physician.In 1634, Glisson obtained his degree of MD at Cambridge, where in 1636 he was appointed regius professor of physic. He held this post until his death. From the time of his appointment in Cambridge and during the civil war Glisson frequently spent time in London, living in Fleet Street. From a comment in a letter we know that Glisson was married to Maria Morgan. He took an active role in the scientific life of London in three different ways: he was a prominent member of a group of friends, all physicians, who would gather to discuss the results of their research; he set up a connection with the College of Physicians of which he became a fellow; he took part in the meetings of the so-called ‘1645 group’ which can be considered as one of the original nuclei of the Royal Society.

William Faithorne