Edmund King (physician)

Edmund King was a 17th-century English physician and chemist, best known for his efforts in attempting to save the life of King Charles II in 1685. He was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians on April 12, 1677.

King's medical background is somewhat obscure, but he gained prominence through his association with the royal court and his reputed skill in chemistry. Accounts of Charles II's final illness indicate that King was one of several physicians attending to the monarch. He is specifically mentioned for his efforts to administer chemical remedies, including strong cathartics, in an attempt to revive the king. Despite his and other physicians' efforts, Charles II succumbed to his illness.

While not widely known for specific medical publications or groundbreaking discoveries, Edmund King's role in attending to a dying king cemented his place in historical records relating to medicine and the British monarchy during that era. His efforts, though ultimately unsuccessful, provide insight into the medical practices and challenges of the 17th century.