William Turner

First published in 1988, this biography of William Turner aims to present a balanced account of his career, writings, and, above all, Turner as a person. It offers a fairly comprehensive overview of his eventful life. The book begins by examining Turner as a naturalist, focusing on his career and publications as a botanist, followed by a brief look at his work on birds and his short essay on fishes. It then explores sections of his writings that reflect his role as a medical practitioner, especially his contributions as a herbalist, along with his writings on baths, wines, and ‘triacles’. The biography also addresses his religious publications and considers the social and economic aspects of his work. Finally, an overall assessment of Turner is offered. This book is an engaging read for students of history.