Gilbert Skene facts for kids

Gilbert Skene (1523-1599) was an important Scottish doctor. He worked for King James VI and wrote books about health and medicine. He lived during a time when Scotland was changing a lot.

Early Life and Education

Gilbert Skene was born in 1523 in a place called Bandodle, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father, James Skene, was a notary, which means he was a person who could make official legal documents. Sadly, Gilbert's father died in a battle called the Battle of Pinkie. Gilbert's mother was Janet Lumsden. He also had a younger brother named John Skene, who became a famous lawyer.

Gilbert went to school at Aberdeen Grammar School. After that, he studied at King's College, Aberdeen, which was a university.

A Professor and Writer

In 1556, Gilbert Skene became a Professor of Medicine at King's College, Aberdeen. He taught there for many years until 1575.

Writing About the Plague

In 1568, Gilbert Skene wrote a very important book called Ane Breve Descriptioun of the Pest. "Pest" was another word for the plague, a very serious disease. In his book, he described what symptoms people with the plague might have. He also gave advice on how to prevent the disease and how to treat it.

What made his book special was that he wrote it in the Scots language. Most medical books at that time were written in Latin, which only educated people could read. By writing in Scots, more people could understand his advice. The book was printed in Edinburgh by Robert Lekprevik.

The Well of the Woman Hill

Gilbert Skene also wrote another book in 1580. It was called Ane Brief Descriptioun of the Qualiteis and Effectis of the Well of the Woman Hill besyde Abirdene. This book was about a special spring of water near Aberdeen called the Well O'Spa. People believed this water had healing powers.

Royal Physician to King James VI

In 1575, Gilbert Skene moved to Edinburgh and bought a house there. A few years later, on June 16, 1581, he was given a very important job. He became the official doctor to King James VI!

He was paid 300 merks every year for his work. A merk was a type of Scottish coin. Later, he received £200 Scots each year until 1597. As the king's physician, he helped with many important matters related to health. For example, in 1581, he and another doctor, Gilbert Moncreiff, helped King James VI with a special request related to a marriage.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1593, Gilbert Skene sold his house in Edinburgh to his brother, John Skene. It is thought that he might have stopped working as a doctor in Edinburgh around this time. He passed away in 1599.

After he died, his nieces and nephews had a disagreement with his wife, Agnes Lawson, about his belongings and property. Gilbert Skene is remembered as an important figure in Scottish medicine, especially for his efforts to share medical knowledge in the everyday language of the people.