James Hodson (born 1753 in Burton on Trent) lived in Cambridge from about 1768 (starting as a printing apprentice to his older brother, Francis) to about 1892, when he moved to London. In London he eventually became a printer on Cross Street in Hatton Garden and, later, an ordained minister in the New Church (Swedenborgians). He died April 16, 1812.
In addition to printing and proselytizing, from about 1783 through at least 1800, Hodson fervently purveyed four quack medicines: Hodson's Parisian Vegetable Syrup (an "improved" Velnos' Vegetable Syrup); Persian Restorative Drops; Egyptian Balm; and Imperial Oil.
Presenting himself as "J. Hodson M.D.", he writes at least two medical sales books: "Nature's assistant to the restoration of health" (1785) and "Medical facts and advertisements" (1795). The former book is dedicated to Charles Collignon, Professor of Anatomy at Cambridge University because of, Hodson states, "the improvement I received under your instructions". Collignon was a Cambridge professor from 1769-1785.
Does anyone have any evidence (or sources I could research) that James Hodson received a medical degree from Cambridge University circa 1780?
