BRIGGS, William, an eminent physician, born at Norwich about 1650. He studied at the university of Cambridge; and then went to France, where he attended the lectures of the celebrated anatomist Vieussens at Montpellier. After his return he published his Ophthalmographia, in 1676. The year following he was created doctor of medicine at Cambridge, and soon after was made fellow of the College of Physicians at London. In 1682 he resigned his fellowship in favour of his brother; and the same year his Theory of Vision was published by Hooke. The ensuing year he sent to the Royal Society a continuation of that discourse, which was published in their Transactions; and the same year he was appointed by Charles II. physician to St Thomas's Hospital. In 1684 he communicated to the Royal Society two remarkable cases relating to vision, which were likewise printed in their Transactions; and in 1685 he published a Latin version of his Theory of Vision, at the desire of his illustrious friend Isaac Newton, with a recommendatory epistle from that philosopher prefixed to it. He was afterwards appointed physician in ordinary to King William, and continued in great esteem for professional skill till his death, which took place in September 1704.