Background
He was born about 1694, probably at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, the second son of Samuel Jebb, a maltster.
He was born about 1694, probably at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, the second son of Samuel Jebb, a maltster.
Samuel Jebb was educated at Mansfield grammar school, and became a sizar at Peterhouse, Cambridge, on 15 June 1709, aged 15. He graduated Bachelor of Arts in January 1713.
He was intended for the church, but, having joined the nonjurors, was unable to take orders. According to Nichols, he remained at Cambridge at least till 1718. On leaving Cambridge he became librarian to Jeremy Collier in London, and occupied himself with literary work.
After the death of Collier, in 1726, on the advice of Richard Mead, he went into medicine, attending Mead"s private practice, and also learning chemistry and pharmacy from Mr.
Dillingham, a well-known apothecary of Red Lion Square. He took the degree of Doctor of Medicine at Reims on 12 March 1728, and set up in practice as a physician at Stratford-le-Bow.
Successful in following his profession, he continued his literary work. He did not become licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians till 25 June 1751.
A few years before his death he retired to Chesterfield, Derbyshire, where he died on 9 March 1772.