William Oliver (physician, 1659–1716)

William Oliver (1659–1716) was an English physician, notable for his medical writings and practice in Bath, Somerset.

Born in Shropshire, Oliver was educated at Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later obtained his medical doctorate and established a successful medical practice.

Oliver is best known for his association with the fashionable spa town of Bath. He became a prominent physician in Bath, attending to the numerous visitors who sought the healing properties of the city's thermal waters. He authored several medical treatises related to the health benefits of Bath's waters, contributing significantly to the understanding and promotion of their therapeutic use. His writings often detailed case studies and observations from his own practice, offering practical advice to both patients and fellow physicians.

His contributions to the medical field also included the development of specific remedies and treatments related to conditions commonly treated in Bath. Oliver's work helped solidify Bath's reputation as a leading health resort during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

He was well-respected among his contemporaries and left a lasting impact on the medical community of Bath and beyond. While specific details about his personal life remain somewhat scarce, his medical contributions are well-documented in historical medical texts and records.