Royal Madrilenian Academy of Medicine

José Arcadio de Ortega, otherwise known as José Arcadio de Hortega, was a preeminent pharmacist of Eighteenth-century Spain.^[1] Ortega owned the house at 9 Montera Street where the Madrilenian Society of Medical Literature was formed and initially met.^[1] Following the society's expansion into the academy and endorsement by Philip V, Ortega served as the academy's secretary.^[4] In addition to this post, Ortega's responsibilities within the academy involved the teaching of Botany and the cataloguing of medical history.^[5] Outside of the academy, Ortega served as the chief of Spain's military pharmacists from 1738 onward and helped to found the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid.^[5]

José Cervi was an Italian physician and professor of medicine at the University of Parma.^[4] Cervi served as the president of the Royal Academy following its sponsorship by Philip V.^[1][4] Prior to his appointment as president, Cervi had previously worked for the royal family as the King's primary physician.^[4] Cervi additionally filled the role of president of other scientific societies across Spain, such as the Royal Society of Seville.^[6] Due to his preeminent status in medicine, Cervi was admired by many members of the academy.^[3][4]

Despite not lasting longer than a century, The Royal Madrilenian Academy of Medicine heavily influenced and prompted the founding of several of Spain's later academies, such as the Royal Academy of Sciences.^[1] A successor to the academy, incorporated in the mid-nineteenth century, would go on to become Spain's National Academy of Medicine.^[1]