Doctor Adam Donald, Prophet of Bethelnie. Born Anno 1703. ob: Anno 1780. Engraved for The Bee.
J: W,,s [John Williams] ad viv: delint. 1772.
[n.d., 1791]
Rare copper engraving. 145 x 90mm (5¾ x 3½").
Quack doctor Adam Donald (1703-80). Born in Aberdeenshire with disabilities that prevented him from a life of manual labour, his mannerisms, charm, and apparent skills led to his calling as a spiritualist. Donald was called to consult on all matters related to health by the local citizens. A habit of lurking through churchyards ‘speaking’ with the dead fuelled his supernatural legitimacy, while owning several books in other languages (of which he could not speak) contributed to his scholarly image among the townspeople. Prescribing remedies ranging from milk baths to singing on chimneys, he could do no harm. If a death occurred it was the patient’s mistake for not following the ‘Prophet’s’ orders, never Donald’s. While Donald’s wife kept his secret during their marriage, his daughter exposed him as a quack and fraud following his death in 1780.
[Ref: 16193] £120.00
[n.d., 1791]
Rare copper engraving. 145 x 90mm (5¾ x 3½").
Quack doctor Adam Donald (1703-80). Born in Aberdeenshire with disabilities that prevented him from a life of manual labour, his mannerisms, charm, and apparent skills led to his calling as a spiritualist. Donald was called to consult on all matters related to health by the local citizens. A habit of lurking through churchyards ‘speaking’ with the dead fuelled his supernatural legitimacy, while owning several books in other languages (of which he could not speak) contributed to his scholarly image among the townspeople. Prescribing remedies ranging from milk baths to singing on chimneys, he could do no harm. If a death occurred it was the patient’s mistake for not following the ‘Prophet’s’ orders, never Donald’s. While Donald’s wife kept his secret during their marriage, his daughter exposed him as a quack and fraud following his death in 1780.
[Ref: 16193] £120.00