Rodrigo López facts for kids
Rodrigo López (1525 – June 7, 1594) was a physician of Portuguese background. He was tried and executed for trying to poison Elizabeth I. He is believed to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's character Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.
López was born into a family of Jewish origin in Portugal. He graduated from university with a degree in medicine. He went to England where he was appointed chief physician to Elizabeth I in 1586. He knew powerful men at court, and grew rich and respected. He was involved in various court intrigues until convicted of plotting to poison the Queen.
Several contemporaries make reference to the trial and execution. Christopher Marlowe mentions it in Doctor Faustus as does Thomas Middleton in A Game at Chess. It is possible that Shylock in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice was inspired by López.
See also
In Spanish: Rodrigo López para niños
