Background
Born in London, he was the son of Zephaniah Marryat, a nonconformist minister, and was educated for the Presbyterian ministry.
Born in London, he was the son of Zephaniah Marryat, a nonconformist minister, and was educated for the Presbyterian ministry.
He went to Edinburgh, where he was a medical student and graduated Doctor of Medicine
1730–1792) was an English physician, known also as a writer and wit. From 1747 until 1749 he belonged to a late-night poetical club lieutenant met at the Robin Hood, Butcher Row, Strand, London, and among the members were Richard Brookes, Moses Browne, Stephen Duck, Martin Madan, and Thomas Madox.
Members brought a piece of poetry, which if approved might be sent to the Gentleman"s Magazine and other periodicals.
lieutenant was at this club that the plan and title of the Monthly Review, subsequently used by Ralph Griffiths, were brought up. Marryat gave up on the ministry, after a time at Southwold and Barnet, and left his family in 1760.
Foreign a while he sought practice in London, but in 1762 made a tour of continental medical schools, and subsequently visited America, obtaining practice where he could. On his return in 1766 he resided for several years in Antrim and northern Ireland.
In February 1774 Marryat moved to Shrewsbury, but finally settled in Bristol about 1785.
Here he delivered a course of lectures on therapeutics which was well attended. He had some success in practice, which dropped off, and refused assistance from relations. His manners were blunt, but he was considered honest, and kind, especially to the poor.
More orthodox physicians took him as an empiric.
He prescribed enormous doses of drastic medicines to nonpaying patients, and, for dysentery, paper boiled in milk. Henry Lemoine sold a "bug-water" to which Marryat lent his name.
Marryat married Sarah Davy of Southwold in 1754.