Letter from George Washington to his dentist, United States, 1795

Letter from George Washington to his dentist, United States, 1795

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Letter from George Washington to his dentist, Mr I. Greenwood, dated 20 February 1795.

George Washington was the first president of the US following the Constitution of 1789. He wrote this letter to his dentist, Mr John Greenwood (1760-1818). The letter is dated the 20th February 1795. It acknowledges the receipt of a denture ‘this Tuesday past’. Washington sent $60 in payment for the denture. This was a substantial sum of money in those days. Washington experienced a large number of dental complaints. He lost all his teeth by 1796.

A replica piece of Washington’s denture (A600141) can also be seen on this website.

Details

Category:
Dentistry
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A600147
Materials:
paper, ink, cardboard, passe-partout, silver and glass
Measurements:
overall: 250 mm x 200 mm x 5 mm,
type:
letter - correspondence