[2] Vide his Life of Harvey, prefixed to the edition by the College of Physicians p. xxxi.
[3] The birthday in some of the lives is stated to be the 2d of April, for no better reason apparently than that All-fools’ Day should not lose its character by giving birth to a great man. William Harvey, I believe, was born on the 1st of April.
[4] In the register of William Harvey’s matriculation at Cambridge his father is styled Yeoman Cantianus—Kentish yeoman.
[5] Prefixed to the Latin edition of Harvey’s Works published by the Royal College of Physicians, in two vols. 4to, 1766.
[6] To show the esteem in which the Brothers Harvey were held, I may mention among other things that Ludovic Roberts dedicates his excellent and comprehensive work entitled ‘The Merchant’s Mapp of Commerce’ (Folio, London, 1638) to “The thrice worthy and worshipful William Harvey, Dr. of Physic, John Harvey, Esq., Daniel Harvey, Mercht., Michael Harvey, Mercht., Mathew Harvey, Mercht., Brethren, and John Harvey, Mercht., onely sonne to Mr. Thomas Harvey, Mercht., deceased.” The dedication is quaint, in the spirit of the times, but full of right-mindedness, respectfulness, and love for his former masters and present friends; in which relations the Harveys stood to Roberts. Thomas Harvey died in 1622, as appears by his monumental tablet in St. Peter-le-Poore’s church, in the city of London. Eliab and Daniel lived rich and respected, the former near Chigwell, co. Essex, the latter at Combe, near Croydon, co. Surrey. Michael Harvey retired to Longford, co. Essex. Matthew Harvey died in London.
[7] “Gul. Harvey, Filius Thomæ Harvey, Yeoman Cantianus, ex Oppido Folkston, educatus in Ludo Literario Cantuar.; natus annos 16, admissus pensionarius minor in commeatum scholarium ultimo die Mai, 1593.” (Regist. Coll. Caii Cantab. 1593.)
[8] Vide On Generation, p. 186. That Harvey outlived his wife is certain from his Will, in which she is affectionately mentioned as his “deare deceased loving wife.” She must have been alive in 1645, the year in which Harvey’s brother John died, and left her £50.
[9] Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis, 4to, Francof. ad Mœn., 1628.
[10] Aubrey, Lives of Eminent Persons, 8vo, London, 1813.
[11] Ib., vol. ii, p. 383.