Career
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 Street St. Petersburg to variolate the Empress Catherine the Great of Russia.
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 Street St. Petersburg in the year 1768.
Dimsdale was elected as Member of Parliament for Hertford in two successive parliaments. He Lived in Bengeo, Hertfordshire.