Charles Balguy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Balguy
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Charles' birthplace – now under Ladybower Reservoir
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| Born | 1708 Derwent, Derbyshire
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| Died | 1767 |
| Education | Chesterfield Grammar School and St. John's College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Parent(s) | Henry Balguy |
Dr. Charles Balguy (born 1708, died 28 February 1767) was an English doctor and a person who translated books from one language to another. He was known for his medical work and for translating a very famous Italian book.
Who Was Charles Balguy?
Charles Balguy was born in 1708 at a place called Derwent Hall in Derbyshire, England. He went to school at Chesterfield Grammar School. Later, he studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, which is a famous university. He earned two important medical degrees there: an M.B. in 1731 and an M.D. in 1750. These degrees showed he was a highly educated doctor.
His Work as a Doctor
After finishing his studies, Dr. Balguy worked as a doctor in a town called Peterborough. He was also the secretary of a "literary club" there. This was a group of people who loved books, writing, and discussing ideas.
His Writings and Translations
Dr. Balguy wrote for a science journal called Philosophical Transactions. In 1741, he did something very important: he translated a famous Italian book called Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio into English. He published this translation without putting his name on it at first. At the time, his translation was considered the best one available in English, and it was printed many times.
He also wrote several medical essays and a special book called De Morbo Miliari in 1758. Another interesting work he wrote was about two bodies found preserved in the moors of Derbyshire for 49 years.
His Legacy
Charles Balguy passed away in Peterborough in 1767. He was buried in the church of St John's. There is a special marble monument there to remember him. This monument describes him as "a man of various and great learning," meaning he was very smart and knew a lot about many different things. His friend, Dr. Samuel Pegge, confirmed that Charles Balguy was indeed the person who translated the Decameron.
