The database was first envisaged as part of a project, funded by the British Academy, which was originally conceived by Charles Webster and undertaken jointly by him and Margaret Pelling. The project subsequently devolved to Margaret Pelling, and was completed under her direction. The database itself was constructed by Dr Frances White, who was also responsible for all actual inputting and manipulation. It was used to produce a monograph, Medical Conflicts in Early Modern London: Patronage, Physicians, and Irregular Practitioners 1550-1640 (Oxford University Press, forthcoming May 2003). Further details of the CPL project, the database, and the Biographical Index, as well as full acknowledgements, will be found in this monograph.

The Biographical Index has greatly benefited over time by contributions as well as queries from other scholars. It is hoped that it will ultimately be possible to make this much larger, but not-yet computerized, body of information available on the internet. The CPL database seemed to present an ideal opportunity for more immediate transfer to the net, so that it can be used, rapidly and efficiently, by anyone interested in the material. Like other such databases, it is intended as a non-profit scholarly enterprise for general benefit. Copyright remains vested in Margaret Pelling and Frances White.