The Harvey Statue on Folkestone Leas Photo: Ray Duff
Report and images by Ray Duff: On a bright Sunday, the coastal town of Folkestone once again paused to honour its most illustrious son, Dr. William Harvey, the pioneering physician whose groundbreaking discovery of blood circulation in the human body forever changed medicine.
The annual civic commemoration, a tradition spanning decades, brought together esteemed medical professionals, local dignitaries, and historians to pay tribute to the man born in 1578 whose insights continue to shape healthcare worldwide.
Dr Philip Ind of the Harveian Society addresses the crowd Photo: Ray Duff
The day’s proceedings began with a dignified lunch at The Burlington, where members of the Harveian Society of London, representatives from medical schools, and Folkestone’s Town Mayor, Cllr Lucy McGirr, gathered. Following the meal, a solemn procession embarked along The Leas, past the iconic Bandstand, culminating at the striking Harvey Statue near the Leas Cliff Hall.
Rev Christopher Johnson, left, welcomes the gathering Photo: Ray Duff
Upon arrival, the assembly was warmly welcomed by the Rev. Christopher Johnson, Vicar of St Mary & St Eanswythe, presiding over the event for the first time since taking up his new post. Prayers were offered in memory of Dr. Harvey and his monumental work, extending also to all those dedicated to the health service, including the staff of the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the students of the Harvey Grammar School, founded by William’s brother, Eliab.
The poignant ceremony continued with the laying of caplet wreaths. Town Mayor Cllr Lucy McGirr led the tributes, followed by Dr. Philip Ind, President of the Harveian Society of London, and Terry Begent representing the Folkestone & District Local Historians.
The three memorial caplets Photo Ray Duff
Dr. Ind then delivered a compelling address, highlighting the immense significance of Harvey’s life and work. He underscored how Harvey’s revolutionary understanding of circulation, though initially met with skepticism, eventually gained full acceptance, profoundly improving our knowledge of the human body and advancing medical practices to this very day.
The Vicar leads the procession in prayers by Harvey’s birthplace Photo: Ray Duff
The procession then reformed on The Leas, making its way down through the Parish Churchyard on the Bayle, before pausing in Church Street. Here, opposite a plaque marking the approximate site of Harvey’s birthplace, further prayers were led by Rev. Johnson. The commemorative event concluded at the Town Hall.
A Glimpse into the Future: Major Anniversaries on the Horizon
Looking ahead, Folkestone is gearing up for a truly significant year in just three years’ time. 2028 will mark the 450th anniversary of Dr. Harvey’s birth and the 400th anniversary of his seminal work, ‘De Motu Cordis’ (On the Motion of the Heart and Blood), published in 1628. Plans are already in motion for much grander commemorations in Folkestone, London, and potentially even globally, echoing past major anniversaries.
It’s also worth remembering that Dr. Harvey’s mother is interred at Folkestone Parish Church, where a beautiful ‘Harvey memorial window’ stands as a testament to the family’s local roots. Adding another layer to the family’s legacy, his five-times nephew descendant was Admiral Eliab Harvey, who famously commanded HMS Temeraire at the Battle of Trafalgar – a vessel second only to Nelson’s HMS Victory in that legendary engagement.
Folkestone’s enduring connection to this medical pioneer serves as a powerful reminder of how one man’s intellectual curiosity and dedication could reshape the world.
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More information:
- Dr William Harvey – https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Harvey
- Harveian Society of London : http://harveiansocietyoflondon.org/
- Admiral Harvey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliab_Harvey
- St Mary & St Eanswythe’s Church, Folkestone : https://stmaryandsteanswythe.org/