From the life of Richard Pockrich (1690?-1745,) inventor of the Musical Glasses.

“Richard was left at the age of twenty-five an unencumbered fortune of 4,000l. a year (Pilkington, Memoirs), but all his resources he dissipated in the pursuit of visionary projects. He proposed to plant vineyards in reclaimed Irish bogs, to supply men-of-war with tin boats which would not sink, to secure immortality by the transfusion of blood, and to provide human beings with wings.”

Source: Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 45

An enthusiast of blood transfusion, he believed that disease could be cured and life extended by the use of healthy donors. A description of the procedure proposes the use of servants or other physically active specimens. Anticipating the problems of immortality that might result, Pockrich proposed that an act decreeing that “anyone attaining the age of 999 years shall be deemed … dead in law”.

Source: wikipedia

Just an amusing piece of historical trivia, you say? Not so fast!

Blood plasma from young people has been found to rejuvenate old mice, improving their memory, cognition, and physical activity.[…]

Previous research has found that stitching old and young mice together has an interesting effect. While sharing a blood system works out well for the older mouse, the younger one isn’t so lucky. The young animals started to show signs of brain ageing, while the brains of the older mice started to look younger. “We see a rejuvenation effect,” says Minami.

Source: Blood from human teens rejuvenate and brains of old mice, New Scientist.

According to so-called official history, Pockrich died in a fire in the year 1745, but I suspect the truth is far darker. He faked his death so he could be an immortal blood-sucking lich, far away from the sight and moral condemnation of lesser men. His return is probably just around the corner.