John Andree (physician)

John Andree (1741-1795) was a British physician and writer, known for his work on mental health and as a strong advocate for humane treatment of the mentally ill. He was born in London.

Andree received his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh. He then returned to London to practice medicine. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1785.

Andree’s most significant contribution was his focus on the care of the mentally ill. He published "Observations on the Theory and Cure of Insanity" in 1790, in which he argued against the common practices of restraint and punishment used in asylums at the time. He advocated for compassionate understanding and treatment based on individual needs, believing that mental illness was often curable with the right environment and care. He emphasized the importance of a calm, structured environment and the value of occupational therapy for patients.

While not a proprietor of any large asylum, his writings and advocacy influenced the evolving attitudes towards mental health care in late 18th-century Britain and contributed to the growing reform movement within the field. He was considered a progressive thinker and his ideas anticipated some of the later developments in psychiatric treatment.