Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682) was a learned physician and distinguished writer, descended from an ancient family in Cheshire. He was educated at Winchester and Oxford University. He travelled in France, Italy and Holland before settling in Norwich. He became famous for his publication, 'Religio Medici', in which he asserted his right to be guided by his own reason during his practise of medicine, rather than just by the teachings of the Catholic Church. As a result, the book was entered into the 'Index Expurgatorius', a list of books banned by the Catholic Church which dates back to 1559. Despite this, Browne was knighted by Charles II in 1671. The painter of the portrait is unknown. It was probably not painted from life, but from an original that is now lost.