Description: Frederick Treves was a brilliant surgeon from Dorset, who spent time working as a doctor in Wirksworth before moving to London. He had continued at the Cottage Hospital and lived in the house pictured which is behind the vicarage (at 21 Coldwell Street). After he moved to London, he was closely involved with John Merrick, the 'elephant man' and pioneered operations for appendicitus. His second child died of the condition and he operated on King Edward VII for a ruptured appendix six weeks before his coronation. Treves was then knighted in the coronation honours list.
He also campaigned for medical service for North Sea fishermen and had the post of Civilian Consulting Surgeon to the army during the Boer War.
In 1919-20 he went to live in Switzerland where he died at the age of 70.
See http://www.wirksworth.org.uk/X186.htm for additional information.
The house is now known as Treves House.
Postmarked 25 September 1907.