Thomas Hoy (poet) facts for kids
Thomas Hoy (1659-1718) was an English doctor and writer. He was known for his medical work and his poetry.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Hoy was born on December 12, 1659. His father was Clement Hoy from London. When he was 13, in 1672, Thomas started attending Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood.
In 1675, he became a student at St John's College, Oxford. He worked hard and earned several degrees. He received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1680 and his Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1684. He then continued his medical studies, earning his Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.) in 1686 and his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in 1689.
Career as a Doctor and Professor
In 1698, Thomas Hoy was chosen for an important role at Oxford University. He became the Regius Professor of Physic. This meant he was a leading professor teaching medicine.
He also worked as a doctor in different places. The writer Anthony Wood said he practiced medicine near Warwick. Another famous writer, John Evelyn, described Dr. Hoy as a "very learned, curious, and ingenious person" in 1698. In December 1697, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a group of top scientists and thinkers.
Thomas Hoy passed away around 1718. It is believed he died in Jamaica.
His Writings
Besides his medical work, Thomas Hoy was also a writer. He helped translate several important books from ancient times.
He contributed to the English versions of:
- Writings by Plutarch, a famous Greek historian, in 1684.
- Works by Cornelius Nepos, a Roman writer, in 1684.
- The Life of Tiberius by Suetonius, another Roman historian, in 1689.
He also published his own original works:
- Two essays in 1682:
- 'Ovid de arte Amandi, or the Art of Love,' which was the first book of a poem by Ovid.
- 'Hero and Leander of Musæus from the Greek,' a translation of an ancient Greek poem.
- 'Agathocles, the Sicilian Usurper;' a poem published in London in 1683.
