Letter from George Washington to his dentist, United States, 1795
George Washington was the first president of the US following the Constitution of 1789. He wrote this letter to his dentist, Mr John Greenwood (1760-1818). The letter is dated the 20th February 1795. It acknowledges the receipt of a denture ‘this Tuesday past’. Washington sent $60 in payment for the denture. This was a substantial sum of money in those days. Washington experienced a large number of dental complaints. He lost all his teeth by 1796. A replica piece of Washington’s denture (A600141) can also be seen on this website.
Object number:
A600147
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: dentistry
The study, treatment and management of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, gums, teeth and their supporting tissues.
Glossary: letter - correspondence
Pieces of correspondence that are somewhat more formal than memoranda or notes, usually on paper and delivered.