of Edinburgh, Session 1875 - 76 . 15 
interest in his garden, which was always kept with scrupulous 
neatness. 
John Hughes Bennett was born in London 31st August 1812, 
and died at Norwich 25th Sept. 1875. He had joined our Society 
in 1842. 
He was educated at the Grammar School, Exeter. It is stated, 
however, that he was indebted for the early part of his education 
to his mother, a lady of brilliant intellectual attainments. Being 
a great admirer of Shakespeare, she caused her son to read aloud 
to her many of his plays, and as he did so, taught him the art of 
emphasis and rhetorical action. Probably to this tuition of his 
mother, Dr Bennett was indebted for the elegance of his composi- 
tion, and for the impressiveness of his delivery when he lectured 
or spoke in public. 
He commenced the study of medicine at Maidstone, in the year 
1829, under the guidance of a practitioner there. It was there 
that he acquired the art of dispensing, and even obtained a certain 
amount of medical practice. He assisted also in post-mortem 
examinations. 
To acquire better medical instruction and training, he removed 
to Edinburgh in the year 1833, — unacquainted with any one in 
that city or in Scotland. By his talents and assiduity he soon 
attracted the notice of his professors, and obtained the esteem 
of numerous fellow-students. His attention was devoted chiefly 
to anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Having joined the 
Royal Medical Society, and shown his abilities and knowledge 
at its meetings, he ultimately became President of the Society. 
Whilst still a student, in the year 1836, he published two papers 
which obtained for him considerable credit. 
In the year 1837, he received the degree of M.D. with the 
highest honours, obtaining at the same time a gold medal for his 
thesis. 
After obtaining all the knowledge which Edinburgh could 
supply, Dr Bennett repaired to Paris, where he studied for two 
years. Being able to speak and write the French language fluently, 
he wrote in the French medical journals, and ultimately became 
President of the Parisian Medical Society. 
