Thomas Farnaby facts for kids
Thomas Farnaby (born around 1575, died June 12, 1647) was a famous English schoolmaster and scholar. He ran a very successful school in London. He was well-known for adding helpful notes to classic Latin books and for writing textbooks on how to write and speak well (called rhetoric) and Latin grammar.
Early Life and Adventures
Thomas Farnaby was born in London. His father was a carpenter. His family had some interesting history; his grandfather was once the mayor of Truro.
Farnaby had a very varied early life. Between 1590 and 1595, he studied at Merton College, Oxford, and also at a Jesuit college in Spain. He even studied at Cambridge. For a time, he sailed with famous explorers like Francis Drake and John Hawkins. After serving in the military in Europe, he returned to England. He settled in Martock, Somerset, where he taught at a grammar school and did very well.
A Famous Schoolmaster
Around the early 1600s, Thomas Farnaby opened his own school in London. This school quickly became very popular and successful. Many students attended, including the sons of important noble families. He had students who lived at the school (boarders) and those who came just for the day. His classes were held in a large garden-house, and he even joined several houses and gardens together to make space for everyone.
Farnaby had a small team of assistants. One of them was William Burton, a well-known scholar who studied old things. Some of Farnaby's most famous students included Sir John Bramston the younger, Sir Richard Fanshawe, and Alexander Gill.
His school was so successful that it had as many as 300 students! It was said that more important church leaders and government officials came from his school than from any other school run by one person in England. Because of his success, he earned a Master of Arts degree from both Cambridge and Oxford.
In 1636, Farnaby bought a large property near Sevenoaks, Kent, and moved there from London. He continued to teach from his new home. Over time, he bought even more land, including another property near Horsham in Sussex.
Later Years and Legacy
Thomas Farnaby was a supporter of the King during a time of political trouble in England. In 1643, he was suspected of being involved in a protest near Tunbridge. Because of this, he was arrested by the government at the time. He was held for about a year before being allowed to return home in 1645. He passed away on June 12, 1647, and was buried in the church at Sevenoaks.
Farnaby was not only a great schoolmaster but also a leading scholar of classic books. His most important works were his special editions of Latin authors like Juvenal, Virgil, and Ovid. These editions included his own detailed notes in Latin, which helped students understand the texts better. They were very popular throughout the 1600s.
He also wrote his own textbooks, including:
- Index Rhetoricus: A book about rhetoric (how to speak and write well) for younger students. It was reprinted many times.
- Systema Grammaticum: This was an official Latin grammar book, ordered by the King himself.
Thomas Farnaby was friends with famous writers like Ben Jonson, who even wrote a poem praising Farnaby's work. Many other scholars also admired his contributions to education and classical studies.
Family Life
Thomas Farnaby was married twice. His first wife was Susan Pierce, and they had a daughter named Judith and a son named John. John later became a captain in the King's army. Farnaby's second wife was Anne Howson, whose father was a bishop. They had a son named Francis, who inherited one of Farnaby's properties.
