[1] He became an assistant surgeon at St Bartholomew's Hospital (known as Barts) in 1726, and one year later was put in charge of the anatomical and surgical preparations.

[3] He was the first to record the genetic error that causes fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva,[4] and his 1748 Essay on the Art of Healing identified points of interest of breast cancer and referred to the danger of not removing infected lymphatic tissue.

[5] The Murder Act 1752 allowed the bodies of convicted murderers to be dissected for the study of anatomy, and in his role overseeing anatomical preparations, Freke was able to take advantage of the increase in the number of available specimens.

In 1746 he wrote a treatise on electricity, An Essay to shew the Cause of Electricity and why some things are Non-Electricable, in which is also considered its Influence in the Blasts on Human Bodies, in the Blights on Trees, in the Damps in Mines, and as it may affect the Sensitive Plants (republished in 1752 with the more concise title Treatise on the Nature and Property of Fire),[5] expressing the belief that lightning and electricity were the same.

His friendship with Samuel Richardson meant he was one of select group who were able to read the manuscript of Clarissa before it was published.