Pharmacist's manuscript acquired at auction

A rare book by a Georgian pharmacist who gained international fame after inventing a special ointment has been secured by a local museum.

Dr Giles Roberts came up with the Poor Man's Friend so-called healing ointment, and his 1799 autobiographical manuscript Short Narrative of the Life of Giles Lawrence Roberts M.D details his early life.

It was purchased at London's Forum Auctions with funding from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries by Dorset History Centre (DHC) in partnership with Bridport Museum.

Sam Johnston, service manager at DHC, called the manuscript a "remarkable piece of Dorset's history".

He added: "It provides a first-hand account of the life and work of Dr Giles Roberts, whose contributions to medicine and the local community were significant.

"We're thrilled to make this resource available for future generations."

The manuscript will be preserved at the centre in Dorchester for public access and research.

There are also plans to exhibit it in Bridport, and to make a digital copy available for volunteers to work on.

Dr Roberts was born in 1766 to a naval gunner, and survived smallpox and rickets as a child before pursuing a passion for science.

His ointment was said to cure "aches, pains and gout, for wounds, burns, chilblains and eruptions of every description, and also sore and inflamed eyes".

But it was mainly made of lard and beeswax, and also contained mercury and lead.

He worked as an apothecary among the town's poorer residents, and also obtained a licence to preach, going on to deliver more than 120 sermons.

Michelle Caesar, manager of the museum, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Dorset History Centre has been able to acquire this autobiographical tract about famous Bridport resident Dr Giles Roberts for the people of Bridport and the wider county.

"Bridport Museum looks forward to making it available for visitors."