Matthew Gwinne facts for kids

Matthew Gwinne (born around 1558, died 1627) was an English doctor who lived a long time ago. He was also a writer and a professor.

Early Life and Education

Matthew Gwinne was born in London, England. His family came from Wales. He started school at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood in 1570. Later, he earned a scholarship to St John's College, Oxford, which is a famous university. He studied there and became a fellow, which means he was a senior member of the college.

He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1578. Then, he got his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1582. For a short time, he even gave lectures on music!

A Doctor at Oxford

In 1592, Queen Elizabeth I visited Oxford University. Matthew Gwinne took part in a special debate held for her entertainment. He argued about philosophy, defending "Moderns" (new ideas) against "Ancients" (old ideas). The Queen enjoyed it! At the same time, he was asked to help organize plays at Christ Church, Oxford.

He continued his studies and became a Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) and then a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 1593. When he got his M.D., one of the questions he had to discuss was: "Is using tobacco often good for you?" This shows that people were already thinking about the effects of tobacco back then.

Working in London

In 1595, Matthew Gwinne traveled to France with the English ambassador, Sir Henry Unton. When he returned, he became the very first professor of medicine at Gresham College in London in 1597. This was a new college, and he started teaching there in 1598.

He also became a member of the Royal College of Physicians, which is a group for doctors in London. He held important roles there, like "censor" (who checked on other doctors) and "registrar" (who kept records). In 1605, he became a doctor for the Tower of London.

Royal Entertainment and Medical Debates

In 1605, King James I and Anne of Denmark, the Queen, visited Oxford. Matthew Gwinne was again chosen to take part in a medical debate for them. He debated with another famous doctor, Sir William Paddy. They discussed interesting questions like whether babies get their nurses' habits from their milk, and again, whether smoking tobacco was healthy.

That same evening, a play written by Gwinne was performed for the King at Magdalen College, Oxford. The play was called Vertumnus sive annus recurrens. The King liked it, even though it didn't keep him awake!

Matthew Gwinne left his teaching job at Gresham College in 1607 to focus on his medical practice, which became very successful. In 1620, he was even appointed to a special group that looked into tobacco. He passed away in London in October 1627. He had two sons, John and Henry.

His Writings

Matthew Gwinne wrote several books and plays, mostly in Latin.

Speeches and Plays

In 1605, he published two speeches he gave at Gresham College. These speeches were full of quotes from other writers.

His play, Vertumnus sive annus recurrens, was printed in 1607. It had a special introduction praising the King.

He also wrote a Latin play called Nero in 1603. It was a tragedy, but it was never performed because it was too complicated.

Medical Work

In 1611, Gwinne published his only medical book. It was a debate against another doctor named Francis Anthony. Anthony claimed to have a special medicine called aurum potabile (which means "drinkable gold"). Gwinne proved that Anthony's medicine didn't actually contain gold. He also argued that even if it did, gold wasn't a very good medicine. This book was written as a Latin dialogue, like a conversation between two people.

Connections to Famous Writers

Matthew Gwinne was friends with many writers of his time. He was especially close to John Florio, who translated many important works. Gwinne even wrote poems praising Florio's books, using the pen name "Il Candido."

He also had connections to the famous writer Sir Philip Sidney and worked with Fulke Greville on a version of Sidney's famous book, Arcadia.

Gwinne was even mentioned in a book by the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno. Bruno wrote that Gwinne and Florio introduced him to Fulke Greville, and they all had a philosophical discussion together.

Other Writings

• Epicedium in obitum &c. Henrici comitis Derbiensis, Oxford, 1593. (A poem about the death of a nobleman)
• Oratio in laudem Musices, first published in 1740. (A speech praising music)
• He also wrote memorial inscriptions for people buried in St John's College Chapel.