Sir Jonathan Hutchinson (1828-1913), surgeon, Professor of Surgery and Pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jonn. Hutchinson'), recommending Bedford Pierce as Medical Superintendent at the Retreat, York...

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of blank second leaf of bifolium. Without heading or salutation, reads: 'I have pleasure in expressing the high opinion which I entertain of Dr. Bedford Pierce's professional attainments | I feel sure that he is in all respects well qualified for the post of Medical Superintendent of the Retreat. When I heard that the post was to be vacant his was the name which at once occurred to my mind & I have not since thought of any one whom I could more confidently recommend'. In 1890 Pierce had won the Murchison Scholarship of the Royal College of Physicians. He had then worked as physician at St. Bartholomew’s, Bethlem Royal Hospital and the Edinburgh Royal Asylum, Morningside. He was successful in his application to become medical superintendent at the Retreat, York, holding the position until his retirement in 1922. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library. Hunter and his mother Ida Macalpine had a particular interest in the illness of King George III, and their book 'George III and the Mad Business' (1969) suggested the diagnosis of porphyria popularised by Alan Bennett in his play 'The Madness of George III'.