Thomas Lodge facts for kids

Thomas Lodge (born around 1558 – died September 1625) was an English writer and doctor. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He wrote many different kinds of books, plays, and poems.

About Thomas Lodge

Thomas Lodge was born in West Ham, England, around 1558. His father, Sir Thomas Lodge, was a very important person called the Lord Mayor of London. His mother was Anne Luddington. Thomas went to Merchant Taylors' School and then to Trinity College, Oxford university. He earned his first degree in 1577 and a master's degree in 1581. Later, he studied law at Lincoln's Inn, which was a place where people learned to become lawyers.

Early Writing and Adventures

Even though his family wanted him to be a lawyer, Thomas Lodge chose to become a writer. In 1579, another writer named Stephen Gosson wrote a book called Schoole of Abuse, which criticized plays and music. Thomas Lodge wrote a strong reply called Defence of Poetry, Music and Stage Plays. This book was not allowed to be printed, but people still shared it.

In 1584, Lodge wrote Alarum Against Usurers, which was about unfair money lending. He also wrote his first story, The Delectable History of Forbonius and Prisceria, which was a mix of prose and poetry.

Thomas Lodge also went on exciting sea voyages. Around 1586, he sailed with Captain Clarke to the Canary Islands. Later, in 1591, he joined Thomas Cavendish on a trip to Brazil and the Straits of Magellan. He returned home by 1593.

Famous Stories and Plays

During his voyage to the Canaries, Thomas Lodge wrote a famous story called Rosalynde, Euphues Golden Legacie. This book was printed in 1590. It later inspired Shakespeare to write his famous play As You Like It. Rosalynde is a fun story with an interesting plot. It has been printed many times since then.

Before his second long trip, Lodge published a historical story called The History of Robert, Second Duke of Normandy. He also wrote Catharos Diogenes in his Singularity, which was about the bad behavior in the city of Athens. Both of these books came out in 1591. Another story, Euphues Shadow, the Battaile of the Sences, was published in 1592 while he was still traveling.

Thomas Lodge also helped write plays. He worked with Robert Greene on a play called A Looking Glass for London and England, which was published in 1594. He also wrote The Wounds of Civil War, which came out in 1594.

Later Life and Medical Career

Later in his life, around 1596, Thomas Lodge became a Catholic. He also started studying medicine. He earned a medical degree in France in 1600. Two years later, he received another medical degree from Oxford University in England.

Around 1606, he left England for a short time. He returned safely in 1610, thanks to the English ambassador in Paris. He continued to practice medicine in London. He lived in different parts of the city, including Warwick Lane and Old Fish Street.

Thomas Lodge died in Old Fish Street in 1625. He was likely still a Catholic when he passed away.

Poetry and Other Writings

Thomas Lodge wrote many other interesting works. His historical story, Life and Death of William Longbeard (1593), was very popular. From his travels, he brought back A Margarite of America (published 1596), which was another adventure story with many poems inside.

In 1589, Lodge published a book of poems called Scillaes Metamorphosis. This poem might have given Shakespeare the idea for his poem Venus and Adonis.

In 1593, he published a collection of sonnets (a type of poem) called Phillis. He also wrote A Fig for Momus in 1595, which was a collection of poems that made fun of society. Some people say he was one of the first English writers to write this kind of satire.

Academic and Medical Works

This is a 1640 edition of a book by Josephus that Thomas Lodge translated.

After becoming a doctor, Thomas Lodge focused on more serious writings. He translated important books from other languages into English. For example, he translated the works of Josephus (a historian) in 1602 and the writings of Seneca (a philosopher) in 1614. He also wrote a summary of a religious poem called Du Bartas's Divine Sepmaine in 1625.

He also wrote books about medicine. These included a Treatise of the Plague in 1603, which was about the disease. He also wrote The poore Mans Talentt around 1623 and a helpful guide on Domestic Medicine, which was never published.

Family Life

Thomas Lodge married his first wife, Joan, around 1583. They had a daughter named Mary. Later, he married Jane, who was the widow of Solomon Aldred.

See also

In Spanish: Thomas Lodge para niños

Images for kids

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  1598 edition of A Looking Glasse, for London and Englande

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  1640 edition of the translation of the works of Josephus