The Layton Collection

THE THOMAS LAYTON TRUST & LAYTON'S COLLECTION

Loimologia or, An historical account of the Plague in London in 1665

Loimologia or, An historical account of the Plague in London in 1665, to which is added an Essay on the different causes of pestilential diseases by Nathaniel Hodges.

Translated from the Latin by Quincy in 1720, Hodge’s account is one of great personal risk, sharp professional observation and human compassion; set against the ravages and arbitrary cruelty of the Great Plague of London. Remaining within the city, the doctor tirelessly attempts to alleviate the citizens’ sufferings with such unsuccessful cures as dried toads; before observing the far more effective treatments of snakeroot and ginger, which he goes on to administer zealously thereafter.

Nathaniel Hodges MD, translated by John Quincy, 1721. Layton Collection 15077

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The Collection

Thomas Layton collected books, coins, and archaeological items (usually described as ‘antiquities’) for 70 years. In that time he had accumulated what has been described as “probably the largest collection of London antiquities ever amassed by a single individual”.

The vast majority of items are believed to have been bought at auctions. Some came to him from his men working on the river. His businesses provided opportunities for finds from dredging, building of bridges and embankments along the banks of the Thames, for which Layton paid good money. Even by the standards of the day Layton kept poor records of where items were found. Despite this, the collection is considered highly important particularly to archaeologists and pre-historians.