A single page from an Autograph Book, inscribed and signed: "Vita brevis, ars longa, John Smith Soden of Bath".

25 June 1839 John Smith Soden was born in Coventry and was educated at King Edward’s Grammar School. He started his medical training in Birmingham General Hospital and then went on to St George’s Hospital in London. In 1800 he joined the 79th Highland Regiment as their assistant surgeon and almost immediately embarked for Egypt. He remained with the regiment throughout a campaign to prevent the French from establishing control of the land route to India then returned to England, but retired from the regiment due to ill health. He practised medicine, initially in Coventry, but then in 1812 moved to Bath where he is was known for his cataract operation. He remained at the Bath United Hospital and Eye Infirmary for the rest of his life.