John Hunter began his medical education in London under his elder brother William (1718–1783) who was a teacher of anatomy and an accoucher. John progressed to become his brother’s assistant and prosector before joining the English army as a surgeon during the Seven Years’ War. Following his time with the army Hunter returned to London where he initially joined the dental practice of James Spence and produced his first major scientific work 'A Treatise on the Natural History of the Human Teeth' (1771). From 1770 Hunter also began taking on students, the first of which was Edward Jenner (whose profile can also be seen on the frieze). In 1783 he acquired a property at Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square) where he had both his practice and lecture hall.