Dr Charles James Fox

Charles James Fox (London, 25 January 1799 – London, 12 May 1874) was an English physician.

The only known description of his life are the obituaries written at his death:

16 May Death of Dr. Charles James Fox. – We have to record the death of Dr. Charles James Fox, who will long be remembered for his unbounded kindness to the Catholic clergy of London, and, we may even say, of England. The late Dr. Fox not only gave his professional services gratuitously to every priest, but in former years, was in the habit of receiving into his house those clerics who did not reside in the metropolis and more especially the students of St. Edmund's College. His generous kindness and able services were deeply appreciated both by Bishop Griffiths and Cardinal Wiseman, the latter of whom expressed his sense of this in a letter which is gratefully treasured by the afflicted family. Dr. Fox was a most exemplary Catholic, and closed a holy and suffering life by a peaceful death on Tuesday last. We must not omit to add that Dr. Fox’s services to the clergy were acknowledged by his Holiness Pope Pius IX., who sent him, at Cardinal Wiseman’s request a special Benediction. The Requiem Mass will take place on the morning of the Funeral (Monday next) at eleven o'clock, in the Church of Our Lady and St. Joseph, Kingsland.-R.I.P.

23 May THE LATE DR. C.J. Fox.-The tribute of respect which we paid to the memory of this excellent man was necessarily to brief to do complete justice to its subject. It is to the elder generation of our clergy that his merits are best known, and one of that body is desirous of recording the deep respect, if he may not rather say the reverence, with which he looks back upon the holy conscientious, and self-denying life of this good and faithful servant of Our Lord. The medical profession presents so many temptations to religious indifference that one who, like the late Dr. Fox, always united the spirit of devotion with a strict attention to his professional duties, deserves to be held up as an example of what is practicable, because it has been practised. An early riser, he was always at daily Mass, except when called out by imperative duty. He not only gave the early hours of the morning to gratuitous advice, but as this writer can testify from experience, would go a distance to visit poor patients at the request of the clergy, and repeat such visits time after time. As was stated last week, he used to open his house to the reception of poor priests or students, though his means were never large. From the clergy he never exacted and always refused a fee, and when his visit was over would go on his knees for a benediction, which he used to say was the best of all fees. Truly, if a life of humble faith, self-denying charity, and severe domestic suffering is the best grounds of Christian hope, then may the family and friends of the late Dr. Fox feel the most undoubting confidence that he has died from a life of trial and suffering to the eternal reward which awaits the true servants of Our Lord.-F. O.

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