Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mayo, John
MAYO, JOHN (1761–1818), physician, son of Thomas Mayo, and grandson of Charles Mayo of Hereford, was born in that city 10 Dec. 1761. He matriculated at Oxford in 1778 from Brasenose College, graduated B.A. 1782, was elected fellow of Oriel College 16 April 1784, and proceeded M.A. 1785, B.M. 1787, and D.M. 1788. He became F.R.C.P. 30 Sept. 1789, and was censor in 1790, 1795, 1804, and 1808, Harveian orator in 1795, elect on 10 April 1807, resigning this last position 6 Oct. 1813. He served as physician to the Foundling Hospital from July 1787 to 1809, physician to the Middlesex Hospital 6 Nov. 1788 until 11 Jan. 1803, and was also physician in ordinary to the Princess of Wales. At a meeting of the board of the Middlesex Hospital, December 1802, it was resolved that Dr. Mayo, ‘who had been physician to this hospital with equal advantage to the charity and honour to himself for fourteen years, be solicited to attend the cancer ward as physician extraordinary’ (Wilson).
Mayo long divided his time between London and Tunbridge Wells, residing at the latter resort during the summer months. There he enjoyed ‘the undisputed lead in medical business and emoluments’ (Munk). On resigning his hospital appointments in 1817, he fixed his permanent abode at Tunbridge Wells, and dying 29 Nov. 1818, was buried at Speldhurst, Kent.
By his first wife, Jane, daughter of Thomas Cock, esq., of Tottenham, he had issue three sons: Thomas [q. v.], subsequently president of the Royal College of Physicians; John, in holy orders; and Herbert [q. v.] His second wife was Frances Lavinia, daughter of William Fellowes, esq., of Ramsey Abbey, M.P. for Sudbury and Andover.
After his death his eldest son published ‘Remarks on Insanity, founded on the Practice of J. Mayo, M.D.,’ 1817.
[Erasmus Wilson's Hist. of Middlesex Hospital, 1845; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1715–1886; Munk's Coll. of Phys. ii. 395; Hist. of Mayo Family, 1882.]