2-588-560 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

William Harvey (1578-1657) by an unknown artist at the National Portrait Gallery. Harvey was an English physician who was the first to describe accurately how blood was pumped around the body by the heart. In 1607, he became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and, in 1609, was appointed physician to St Bartholomew's Hospital. In 1618, he became physician to James I and then Charles I. Both James and Charles took a close interest in and encouraged Harvey's research.Taken from a series of cigarette cards entitled 'Celebrities of British History' produced by Carreas Ltd, 1935.