SCHOMBERG, RALPH (RAPHAEL):
English physician and author; born at Cologne, Germany, Aug. 14, 1714; died at Reading, England, June 29, 1792; twin brother of Isaac Schomberg. He was educated at Merchant Taylor's School, and studied medicine at Rotterdam, obtaining the degree of M.D. from another university. He first settled at Yarmouth and practised there as a physician, also publishing some works on professional subjects. He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1752, and soon afterward removed to Bath, in which city he practised for some years with success. During his residence there circumstances arose which compelled his retirement from Bath and from public practise. He removed to Pangborne in Berkshire, and afterward to Reading. He corresponded with E. M. da Costa.
A voluminous and miscellaneous writer, Schomberg has been described as "a scribbler destitute of either genius or veracity." He wrote: "An Ode on the Present Rebellion," 1746; "An Account of the Present Rebellion," 1746; "Aphorismi Practici, sive Observationes Medicæ," 1750; "Prosperi Martiani Annotationes in Cæcas Prænotationes Synopsis," 1751; "Physical Rhapsody," 1751; "Van Swieten's Commentaries," 1762; "A Treatise on the Colica Pictonum or Dry Belly-Ache," 1764; "Duport de Signis Morborum Libri Quatuor," 1766; "Death of Bucephalus" (1765), burlesque acted at Edinburgh; "The Life of Mæcenas," 1767; "Judgment of Paris" (1768), burlesque performed at the Haymarket; "A Critical Dissertation on the Characters and Writings of Pindar and Horace"; "Medico Mastix," 1771; "The Theorists" (1774), a satire; "Fashion" (1775), a poem. His productions met generally with an unfavorable reception.
- Nichols, Literary Anecdotes, iii. 28-30;
- Munk, Roll of Royal College of Physicians of London, ii. 73;
- Chalmers, Biographical Dict.;
- Brit. Mus. Cat.;
- Dict. National Biography.
