Francis Boott (1792–1863) was born in the United States and educated at Harvard University and Edinburgh. He settled in London, where he had a successful practice and was noted for his treatment of fevers. He advocated giving plenty of fresh air to his patients, a treatment that was regarded with horror by the medical profession at the time. The American controversially abandoned the traditional outfit of the physician, the black coat, white neckcloth, knee-breeches and black silk stockings, for the ordinary costume of the day, a blue coat with brass buttons and yellow waistcoat. Boott was elected to the Royal College of Physicians in 1826. He retired early from practice after inheriting a considerable sum, and devoted the rest of his life to his literary, classical and scientific interests.