| Nathaniel Edward Yorke-Davies | |
| Birthname: | Nathaniel Edward Davies |
| Birth Date: | 1841 4, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Llanrwst, Denbighshire, Wales |
| Occupation: | physician and dietetician |
| Notable Works: | Foods for the Fat (1889) Living to Eat and Eating to Live (1891) Health and Condition (1894) |
Nathaniel Edward Yorke-Davies (1841–1914) was a British surgeon and dietician.[1] His most famous patient was US President William Howard Taft.[2]
Yorke-Davies, whose father was headmaster at Llanrwst Grammar School,[1] was educated at Cheltenham College and other schools before entering St Bartholomew's Hospital. He qualified L.S.A. in 1865, L.M. Dub. in 1865, M.R.C.S. Eng. in 1866, and L.R.C.P Lond. in 1871.
After a brief period of service in the Egyptian navy, he became a specialist in dietetics; he gained an international reputation in that speciality as an author of several books and numerous articles in medical and popular journals.[3]
His 1889 book Foods for the Fat: A Treatise on Corpulency urged overweight people to a consult a physician, who would provide psychological support and an individualised plan for diet and exercise. His book criticised Banting's dietary plan for its extreme severity and Ebstein's dietary plan for recommending too much fat. The book remained popular for many years; the 17th edition appeared in 1906 and sold 35,000 copies.[2]
Gluten and bran baked goods made using Dr. Yorke-Davies's recipes were sold for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.[4]
Upon his death he was survived by his widow, two sons, and a daughter.[1]