Philip Meadows Martineau
From the notes prepared by the Parliamentary Archives, Martineau was an ‘eminent surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he volunteered his services’. He was well thought of in Norwich and beyond, as he communicated with the Royal Society on medical matters. The notes describe his as possibly socially snobbish if intellectually radical which indicated he was a man sure of himself.
In Norwich we possibly know the name best in connection with Martineau Lane where County Hall is found. Indeed this was on his land that County Hall was built. There is a discrepancy between two sets of notes I have, in terms of an association with the United Friars, was it Philip or his nephew (also a surgeon) who participated in Friars meetings? In any case he was generous in his commitment to the care of the poor.
The old Norfolk and Norwich hospital located off St.Stephens Road is being redeveloped into housing and they are finally after a considerable number of years, starting on what I think is the original Georgian part of the hospital complex.
Martineau’s house was demolished to make way for County Hall in the 1960’s, notes indicate there is a folly within the grounds which I shall, given time, seek out tomorrow.
