James Grieve (translator)

James Grieve, M.D. FRS (died 1773) was a Scottish translator, writer and physician. As translator of ‘Celsus,’ his work helped restore a path to classical medicine.

Early years

He was educated at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.D. 1733.^[1]

Russian Service

Thomas Jefferys engraved this Russian map depicting discoveries made during the Second Kamchatka Expedition conveyed in Stepan Krasheninnikov's book.

Grieve was authorized to practice medicine in Russia in 1734, arriving two years ahead of his contemporary James Mounsey, future archiater to Empress Elizabeth. He spent several years as physician to the Kazan,' moved to Orenburg, and then to Saint Petersburg, initially to the army hospital as physician to the guards regiment, and ultimately as Shtadt-fizik (City Physician). In 1751 he transferred to Moscow as Shtadt-fizik.^[2] He was created licentiate from the Royal College of Physicians in 1753 and selected fellow to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on 6 February, a position he held several years to include the assignment as physician to the Empress of Russia.^[3] He translated for publication the "History of Kamtschatka," in 1763 as his Russian service ended. This book details the overland portion of the 1733-1743 exploration into the vast eastern expanses of Asia initiated under Emperor Peter I and concluded during Empress Elizabeth's reign.

Return to England

In 1764 he was appointed physician to St. Thomas's Hospital, and in the following year to the Charterhouse. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society 2 March 1769, and became a fellow of the College of Physicians ‘speciali gratiâ’ 30 September 1771. He died 9 July 1773 at his official residence in Charterhouse Square. He is described by Dr. Lettsom, who was his pupil, as an amiable man and unassuming scholar.^[4]

Translations

His published translations include two works: ‘A. Cornelius Celsus of Medicine in eight books, translated, with Notes Critical and Explanatory, by James Grieve, M.D.’ A third edition of this translation, was published in 1837, ‘carefully revised with additional notes by George Futvoye’, Samuel Sharp reviewed the text portions related to surgery while on staff at Guy's Hospital; and Stepan Krasheninnikov's ‘History of Kamtschatka...,’ published at London 1763, Gloucester 1764, and afterwards at St. Petersburg.^[5][6]

Family

He married Miss Anne Le Grand (d. 1767) in late 1764 by whom he had one daughter, Anne, who survived both parents.^[7][8]

The Books

1. A. Cornelius Celcus of Medicine
2. The History of Kamtschatka and the Kurilski Islands, with the Countries Adjacent, (Gloucester 1764).

References

1. Historical sketch and laws of the Royal College of Physicians, of Edinburgh, p. 3, (Edinburgh 1867).
2. By the banks of the Neva:..., Anthony Glenn Cross, pp. 131-2, (Cambridge 2007).
3. Magnæ Britanniæ notitia, John Chamberlayne, part ii. p. 25, (London 1755). Dr. W. M. Richter's History of Medicine in Russia, notes a James Grieve, Scotsman, who had been serving several years as city-physician in Moscow about 1760.
4. The roll of the Royal College of Physicians of London:, Vol. 2, Munk, p. 251, (London 1861). Munk's listing spells his name Greive.
5. The Critical review, or, Annals of literature, Vol. 17, Tobias G. Smollett, pp. 81-90, (London 1764).
6. Scottish geographical magazine, Vol. 15, p. 254, RSGS, (Edinburgh 1899).
7. The registers and monumental inscriptions of Charterhouse Chapel, Francis Collins, pp. 45, 58, (London 1892).
8. The London magazine, Vol. 33 (p. 598, marriage), Vol. 37 (p. 611, Lady of's death), (London 1764).

 "Grieve, James". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.