Career
He was eminent in his profession, and for thirty-three years, from 1784 to 1807, was surgeon at Street Bartholomew"s Hospital in London. He was appointed Master of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1800 and was among those who gave a donation to help fund their new surgical library. He was also on the College"s list of first Governors, first Examiners of Surgeons and the first Court of Assistants.
He wrote several papers, including one (unpublished) entitled "The Effects of Cancer".
Long sat for Romney as his first subject for a portrait which was done for his friend Hayley. Subsequently Long acquired many of Romney"s paintings, which were eventually sold by Christie"s on behalf of the family, in 1890.
William Long purchased Marwell Hall near Winchester, Hampshire about 1798, and between 1812-1816 made considerable alterations, resulting in what is now the house as it stands today. He was a man of compassion and generosity, and when resident at his country seat away from London, he always gave his advice and medicine gratuitously to the poor of the surrounding neighbourhood.
After his death on 24 March 1818 his collections of preserved medical specimens and surgical instruments were donated by his executors to the Royal College of Surgeons Museum in London.
Alice continued to live at Marwell Hall, and during the Owslebury riots of 1830 a mob of rioters, accompanied by John Boyes, a local farmer, arrived at the house. The mob demanded money from Alice and John Boyce demanded a reduction in the rents of her farm tenants, so they could pay their agricultural labourers higher wages. (Afterwards 245 men were arrested and brought to trial at Winchester Two of the prisoners were hanged and Boyes was transported to Tasmania for seven years but was pardoned and returned home in 1835).
William Long is buried in Salisbury Cathedral and his widow erected a monument to "perpetuate the memory of a much esteemed husband".
Participant of the epitaph, written in Latin, says:
Alice died 18 September 1840, leaving numerous charitable bequests.
