William Hering 1803 - 1876

William Hering 1803 - 1876 was a German orthodox physician, living in England, who converted to homeopathy.

Hering was a friend of Charles Dickens, Count D’Orsay, Theodore Edward Hook, and Edwin Henry Landseer.

William Hering, who died on the 10th of October last, at Reigate, after repeated attacks of an apoplectic character, was one of the older race of homeopathic practitioners. He was born in 1803, and took out his license to practice from the Apothecaries’ Company, in 1826.

Early in his career he became a convert to Samuel Hahnemann’s doctrines, and continued steadily to practice homeopathically until the end of his professional life.

Failing health compelled him to withdraw himself from the active duties of practice a few years ago, and he vainly sought renewed vigor in several of the most renowned German baths.

Though a careful and successful practitioner, Dr. Hering added little to the development of our art. A few practical papers scattered among our periodical literature are all that he has done in this way.

But his death has created a more profound sorrow among his colleagues, and among an immense circle of friends, than that of many a more conspicuous apostle of the cause his popularity was greatly owing to his inexhaustible humor, his kindness of disposition, and his affectionate nature. These qualities sewed to gain him the friendship of many beyond the mere circle of patients and colleagues.

Indeed, he enjoyed the intimacy of many of the most distinguished men of his time - Count D’Orsay, Edwin Henry Landseer, Theodore Edward Hook, the Chalons, William Etty

• and, indeed, almost all those conspicuous in art were among his friends and acquaintances.

His social qualities recommended him to the tables of wits its and patrons of wit of the last generation, and no one could better entertain a company, or ” keep the table in a roar,” than our departed colleague. But the mere possession of a ready wit and uncommon powers of mimicry world not alone have sufficed to render him so beloved as he was by all who knew him. His heart was as warm as his wit was sprightly, and he was singularly free from the meaner passions of envy and spite too often found in alliance with a turn for jesting. While broadly humorous, there was never anything ill natured about his stories.

Of German descent, he abounded in the German quality of Gemüthlichkeit or playful good humor.

He has left void in our little world it will be hard to fill. (Brit. Jour. Hom., vol 35, p. 93.)

Of interest:

Constantine Hering 1800 - 1880 The ‘father of American Homeopathy’, known for his ’Law of Cure‘.