Mark Akenside Poet and Physician: A Lover of Contradiction By Alan Castree (53-61) Many Old Novos will recall the refrain in the school song, “… Collingwood, Armstrong, Eldon and Bourne, Akenside, Stowell and Brand…”, but perhaps not too many will know much about this exceptional character, Mark Akenside. He has an unfortunate reputation today, having engendered in Geordie folklore the “Akenside Syndrome”, symbolizing someone who moves away from the Tyne, becomes famous and disclaims his native origins. I judge this unfair but readers can decide. Above: Mark Akenside © Royal College of Physicians Above right: Mark Akenside’s letter to Mr Edward Cave, editor of the London periodical, The Gentleman’s Magazine, sourced from the school library, dated 1738
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ark was born on 9 November 1721, the son of a Newcastle butcher. His family were Presbyterian Dissenters. From an obscure background, Mark rose to become a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Fellow of the Royal Society and physician to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III. Further, he achieved wide acclaim as a leading poet of his age and as a brilliant classical scholar. He attended RGS in the 1730s (actual dates unknown) and also received education from William Wilson at the Non-Conformist Meeting House, Hanover Square, Newcastle. Support from his church enabled him to enter Edinburgh University to read Theology in 1738. A bright and industrious scholar, he chose to switch to Medicine, in which he was to excel. He built a reputation as a fierce and able debater, displaying early signs of a disputatious manner that proved to be an irritant to many during his life.
