William Buchan was born at Ancrum in 1729. He entered the University of Edinburgh in 1749, later practising in Yorkshire and serving as physician to the Foundling Hospital at Ackworth. His most famous work, 'Domestic Medicine', was published in 1769 and enjoyed wide circulation. Buchan moved to London in 1778, published further works, and died there on 25 February 1805. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
