BARRY, Sir Edward.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Observations Historical, Critical, and Medical, on the Wines of the Ancients. First and only edition of the first book in English to discuss modern wines and one of the earliest books to investigate ancient wines. This is a handsome, well-margined copy, with a crisp example of the engraved frontispiece by Isaac Taylor. In an early example of the time-honoured connection between medical professionals and expensive wines, this work by the Irish physician Edward Barry (1696-1776) evaluates the best offerings from across ancient and modern Europe, while speculating on their storage and possible medical applications. Much of the book is dedicated to his translations of passages from ancient writers, many of which had been previously unavailable in English.Barry practised as a doctor in Dublin, before moving to London in 1761 and receiving a fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians. He made enough of an impact to attract Samuel Johnson's attention, who wrote that he "brought his reputation with him but had not great success" (quoted in ODNB).

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