Nationality British Children Nathaniel Dimsdale | Name Thomas Dimsdale | |
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Born May 29, 1712 ( 1712-05-29 ) Occupation Physician, politician, banker Notable work The present method of inoculating for the small-pox Died 1800, Hertford, United Kingdom | ||
Baron Thomas Dimsdale (1712–1800) was an English MP, physician and banker.
Dimsdale had a particular interest in the prevention of smallpox by inoculation (variolation), infection via the skin, which usually produced a mild but protective effect. He published The present method of inoculating for the small-pox in 1767 which went into five editions by 1769. In 1768, perhaps due to his prominence in London society, he was invited to St Petersburg to variolate the Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. In 1769, Dimsdale variolated the Empress, her son Grand Duke Paul and over 140 members of the Court. The results were a success. Catherine rewarded Dimsdale with £10,000, a pension of £500 per annum, and £2000 expenses. She also created him a Baron of the Empire. Dimsdale's son, who accompanied him, was also rewarded. In case the results had produced adverse effects, the Empress had arranged for a relay of fast horses to be available to speed the Dimsdales out of the country. During the long preparatory period before the variolations he wrote Tracts on inoculation written and published at St Petersburg in the year 1768.
Dimsdale was elected as MP for Hertford in two successive parliaments. He Lived in Bengeo, Hertfordshire.