Thomas Hobson (postal carrier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Hobson
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1629 portrait of Thomas Hobson, from the National Portrait Gallery
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| Born | c. 1544 |
| Died | 1 January 1631 (aged 86) |
Thomas Hobson (born around 1544, died January 1, 1631) was an English businessman. He was a "carrier," which meant he transported goods and people. He is most famous for the saying "Hobson's choice," which is still used today.
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What is Hobson's Choice?
The phrase "Hobson's choice" became popular after Thomas Hobson's death. A famous poet named John Milton helped make the saying well known.
So, what does it mean? "Hobson's choice" is when you are offered something, but you actually only have one real option. It's like saying, "take this one, or take nothing at all." It's not about having no choice, but rather having to pick a specific item or go without.
Thomas Hobson's Business
Thomas Hobson was a very clever businessman. He lived in Cambridge, England. He noticed that students at the University of Cambridge often rode horses very fast. This meant the horses got tired quickly.
Hobson had a large stable with about forty horses. He was the first person in England to rent out "hackney-horses," which were horses available for hire. When someone wanted a horse, Hobson would lead them into the stable. There were many horses, but he made sure customers took the horse closest to the stable door. This way, all his horses were ridden fairly and none got overworked.
This rule, "take the horse nearest the door or none," is how the saying "Hobson's choice" began. It meant you had to take the horse he offered, or you couldn't rent one at all.
Hobson also helped deliver mail between London and Cambridge. He ran his stable near St Catharine's College, Cambridge. The place where his stable was located is now part of the college chapel.
Helping the Community
Even though he was known for his strict horse-rental rule, Thomas Hobson was a generous person. He cared about his community.
Hobson's Conduit: Clean Water for Cambridge
Hobson helped pay for the building of Hobson's Conduit in 1614. This was a special man-made water channel. It brought clean drinking water from springs five miles away to the people of Cambridge. This was a very important project for public health back then.
Today, you can still see parts of Hobson's Conduit. There's a fountain in Cambridge that was moved there in 1856. It reminds people of Hobson's gift of clean water.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Hobson bought a large country house called Anglesey Abbey in 1625. This house is now owned by the National Trust.
Hobson died in 1631. In Cambridge city center, there are two small streets named Hobson's Passage and Hobson Street. They are very close to where his old stable and inn used to be. His legacy lives on through these street names and, of course, the famous saying, "Hobson's choice."
