William Pitcairn (1711–1791) studied under Boerhaave at Leyden and graduated in medicine at Rheims. He was an accomplished botanist and at his house in Islington had a five acre botanical garden stocked with rare plants, second only in size to Dr Fothergill’s garden at Upton. He was physician to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for 30 years, subsequently becoming its Treasurer and he was also elected President of the College for 10 years, after which he resigned and retired from practice.

The gown worn by William Pitcairn seems to be an individual variation on the usual form of president’s gown, rather than of a foreign university.