Richard Blackburne facts for kids

Richard Blackburne (born in 1652) was an English doctor and writer. He was known for his medical work and for writing about the famous philosopher Thomas Hobbes.

Early Life and Education

Richard Blackburne was born in London in 1652. He went to Trinity College at Cambridge University. He earned his first degree there in 1669.

Later, he continued his studies in medicine at Leyden University in the Netherlands. He started there in May 1676, when he was 24 years old. He earned his medical doctor (M.D.) degree from Leyden University. His special research paper, called a thesis, was published there in 1676.

Medical Career and Discoveries

Around 1681, Dr. Blackburne worked with John Aubrey, a well-known writer. They worked together to make some special water springs famous. These springs were found by Aubrey in 1666 near a place called Seend, close to Devizes.

Dr. Blackburne said these springs were like the popular ones at Tunbridge Wells. He believed they had similar healing powers. These springs contained iron, which is why they were called chalybeate springs. It took some time, but by 1688, many people started visiting them for their health.

Royal College of Physicians

Dr. Blackburne became an important member of the Royal College of Physicians in London. He was made an honorary fellow in 1685. A "fellow" is a special member of a professional group.

King James II's royal charter later made him a full fellow of the college in 1687. In 1688, he served as a "censor." This role meant he helped make sure doctors followed the rules and kept high standards.

The exact year Dr. Blackburne passed away is not known.

Writing About Thomas Hobbes

Dr. Blackburne greatly admired Thomas Hobbes, a very famous English philosopher. A philosopher is someone who studies big ideas about life and knowledge.

It is believed that Dr. Blackburne wrote a short book in Latin about Hobbes's life. This book was called Thomæ Hobbes Angli Malmesburiensis Philosophi Vita. Another person, Ralph Bathurst, was also thought to have written it.

However, Dr. Blackburne definitely wrote a follow-up book in Latin. It was called Vitae Hobbianie Auctarium. This second book helps show that he likely wrote the first one too. Both of these books probably used information from a longer, unpublished book about Hobbes written by John Aubrey. Aubrey likely knew and agreed to his work being used.

These writings by Dr. Blackburne became the main source for the "Life" section in a big collection of Thomas Hobbes's works published in 1750.