In reverse order....
Posted by Caroline on July 21, 1998 at 10:37:24:
In response to Doctors and livings, written by Constanza on July 21, 1998 at 09:36:30
] Another thing, how is it the purchase of a living brought about? To be more specific, in the case of Dr. Grant and Sir Thomas, what did each of them gain by the operation? I mean, if the living was profitable for Dr. Grant, it should have been profitable for Sir Thomas as well, unless he needed some lump sum ready. Unless Sir Thomas had desired to get rid of the expense of keeping a curate at the living... I am a little puzzled, can someone explain?
I don't have the quote I want handy. But I believe that Sir Thomas needed some cash, and fast, to pay Tom's debts. Dr Grant 'bought' the living, thus depriving Edmund of a guaranteed job. I'm not sure whether Dr Grant had the living for a few years only, or whether it was for life (I think the latter) Does that make sense?
The living is profitable for Dr Grant, because it gives him an income. It's not profitable for Sir Thomas any more, because he cannot save it for Edmund, and will have to buy him another, somewhere else.
] When does a parson become a Doctor? Does he have to prepare a thesis? Or is it related to the position he holds in Church of England?
] What other professionals other than physicians are called "doctor"?
The title "Doctor" is given to anyone who has been awarded a doctoral degree by a university. In JA's time, you had to have been awarded a specific degree ( I think it was only in theology) in order to qualify to be a priest, but you didn't necessarily have to have a doctorate.So not all priests were Doctors, as now. Henry Tilney, Edward Ferrars, Philip Elton, are all "Mr" , not "Doctor"
The medical "Doctor" is the same. To be a physician, you have to have done the equivalent of doctoral studies, and be a member of the College of Physicians. You did in Jane Austen's time, too.But the courtesy title "doctor" and the career description "doctor/physician" are actually two separate things. In Jane Austen's time, a surgeon could not be addressed as "Doctor" because he did not have the certification from the College of Physicians. I don't know whether he had a doctoral degree, but I doubt it.
Even today, this tradition continues- a surgeon is addressed as "Mr" even though he may have a qualification and certifiaction to practise medicine, and may be far more highly qualified than a Doctor of Medicine. Confusing, no?
It is also possible to be a Doctor of Law, but very few lawyers are addressed by the title of "Doctor".I don't know the story behind this one.
- Doctorates Linden 20:27:48 7/21/98
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- Are you saying... Caroline 02:41:24 7/22/98
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- Parsons who are Doctors Ruth Bailey 11:33:25 7/22/98
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- Thanks! Caroline 15:59:10 7/22/98
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- Thanks! Caroline 15:59:10 7/22/98
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- Parsons who are Doctors Ruth Bail 11:32:49 7/22/98
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- Parsons who are Doctors Ruth Bailey 11:33:25 7/22/98
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- Are you saying... Caroline 02:41:24 7/22/98
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