The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-18
Peter Mark Roget, NJ. D., f. II. 8.


This distinguished physician and author died on
yesterday aged ninety years, as we are Informed be
q cable telegram from London. He was descended
from French Protestant families who sought refuge
in Switzerland. His father was native Of Geneva
who removed to London, where he was minister to
q Swiss church in Threadneedle street, and where
he married daughter OF Sir Samuel Romly. The
deceased was born In London during the.year 1879
and received excellent education at the Univer.
sity of Edinburg, where he studied medicine and
took the degree Of NJ D. in 1893. For six years
after he practised his profession with ordin.
airy fortune, but In 1903 he obtained the posi-.
ton OF private physician to the Marquis Of
Lansdowne, aud accompanied that nobleman
to Harrowgate and Bath. In 1904 he settled in
Manchester, where he received the appoint
ment OF physician to the innrmary. Four years
later Dr.. Roget removed to London, where he ever
after resided by this time he had won reputation
as q physician and ranked high in the medical
world At the English metropolis the formation of
the Northern Dispensary" was mainly due to his
exertions. To this admirable charity he was
physician for many years. He lectured frequently
before the principal scientific institutions OF London
mostly on medical subjects He was also the reel.
plent Of several appointments from the Crown aud
from societies.
Although his practice was large and his skill in
his profession great, DR.. Roget was less widely
known q practitioner than as an author. AS
contributor to numerous reviews and magazines he
earned an enviabe reputation. AS scientific
writer, his work on animal and Vegetable Pnysi-
ology," first published In 1884, exhibited his extern
sive learning and deep research. Numerous
treatses on scientific subjects which he wrote,
and which were published by the Society for
the Diffusion OF Useful knowledge, were models
OF erudition, and did great service to science
a Fellow OF the Royal Society, 10 which he soon
after became secretary, holding that position for
period OF over twenty years with marked ability and
success. He was the first Fullerian Professor OF
Physiology at the Royal Institute. in 1899 he re-
ceived the appointment OF Examiner in Physiology
in the University Of London, and was one or the
original members to the Senate OF that body. The
greatest of DR.. Rogets literary productions Ia
doubleday his 'Thesaurus OF English Words and
Phrases.n AS far back as 1904 he had
make other than "a cassed catalogue
OF words on a small scale for his own use. After his
retirement from the duties OF secretary OF the Royal
Society, however he devoted himself 10 the compl.
laon, working necessarily at 1t for period OF four
years. This book was first published In 1854, when
the venerable author had passed his seventy third
year. II was received with great favor, and at once
assumed the position OF standard medium Of REFER
ence. There are few or no writers at the present
day 10 whom Rogets Thesaurus has not been Of as
great value as dictionary.
Since the publication OF the Thesaurus we DO not
remember having seen the name OF Or. Roget In
print In connection with any other literary under
taking. For the last few years he had been In re-
tlrement passing calmly the remainder OF his days.
He had attained to great age, ana died full Of
honors. He was Fellow OF the Royal College OF
Physicians, member OF the Serate OF the University
OF London. and OF the literary and philosophical
societies OF Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Quebec,
New York Harlem, Turin and Stockholm. Indeed,
throughout Europe and North America his great
abilities were recognized and were honored In the
most APPROPRIATE manner.