Benjamin Hoadly (physician) facts for kids
Benjamin Hoadly (born 1706, died 1757) was an English doctor. He was also famous for writing plays.
Contents
Benjamin Hoadly's Early Life and Education
Benjamin Hoadly was born in London on February 10, 1706. His father, also named Benjamin Hoadly, was a bishop of Winchester.
Young Benjamin went to Newcome's academy in Hackney for his schooling. Later, he studied at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, starting in April 1722. He was very interested in mathematics. He also attended lectures by a famous professor named Nicholas Saunderson.
Becoming a Doctor and Scientist
Benjamin Hoadly earned his first medical degree (M.B.) in 1727. He then received his advanced medical degree (M.D.) in April 1728. Even before finishing his studies, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This was a great honor for a young scientist.
For a few years, he worked as a registrar in Hereford. His father was the bishop there at the time.
Benjamin Hoadly's Medical Career
After his studies, Dr. Hoadly moved to London to practice medicine. In December 1736, he became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. This meant he was a respected member of the main group for doctors in England.
Lectures and Royal Appointments
In 1737, he gave important talks called the Gulstonian lectures. These lectures were about how our breathing organs work. They were later printed as a book. In 1739, he became a censor for the Royal College of Physicians. This role involved checking on other doctors.
Dr. Hoadly became a physician to the king's household in June 1742. This was a very important job. Later, in January 1746, he also became a physician to the household of Frederick, Prince of Wales. He continued his medical work until he passed away in Chelsea on August 10, 1757.
Benjamin Hoadly's Plays and Writings
Besides being a doctor, Benjamin Hoadly loved the theater. He wrote several plays.
The Suspicious Husband Comedy
His most famous play was a comedy called The Suspicious Husband. It was first performed in London at the Covent Garden Theatre on February 12, 1747. The famous actor David Garrick wrote the opening speech for the play. Garrick also played the main character, Ranger.
The Suspicious Husband was very popular with audiences. It was performed many times and was published in 1747. Even famous critics like Samuel Foote and John Genest praised it. Another writer, Charles Macklin, even wrote a short play making fun of it, which shows how well-known it was.
Other Writings
Benjamin Hoadly also wrote another comedy called The Tatlers. This play was performed in 1797, but it was never printed as a book. In 1756, he published a scientific book. It was called Observations on a series of Electrical Experiments by Dr. Hoadly and Mr. Wilson.
Benjamin Hoadly's Family Life
Benjamin Hoadly was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Betts. They had one son, also named Benjamin. His second wife was Anne Armstrong.
