Thomas Pole facts for kids
Thomas Pole (born October 13, 1753 – died September 28, 1829) was a doctor and writer. He was born in America but lived most of his life in England. Thomas Pole was also known for his kindness and for helping people.
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Early Life and Education
Thomas Pole was born in Philadelphia, a city in America. His family were members of the Society of Friends, also known as Quakers. When he was 22 years old, in 1775, he traveled to England to visit family. He spent a few years exploring England and Wales, mostly riding on horseback.
In 1777, Thomas started studying medicine. He learned from different doctors in places like Maidenhead and Reading. By 1780, he was working as an assistant doctor in Falmouth.
Becoming a Doctor
Thomas Pole moved to London in 1781. He became a member of the College of Surgeons, which is a group for doctors who perform operations. Later, in 1801, he earned his M.D. degree from St Andrews University in Scotland. In 1789, he also became a member of the American Philosophical Society, a famous group that Benjamin Franklin led at the time.
His main work as a doctor was helping women during childbirth (called obstetrics), treating women's health issues (called gynaecology), and caring for children (called paediatrics). He even gave lectures about medicine in London.
In 1802, Thomas Pole moved to Bristol, England. There, he became a very busy doctor. He continued to teach medicine to students, and he also gave talks about chemistry and other sciences.
Helping Others and Art
Thomas Pole spent a lot of time helping his Quaker community. He was also involved in many projects to help people in need. A Quaker poet named Bernard Barton once said that Thomas Pole was a very understanding and kind person.
Adult Schools
Thomas Pole helped start some of the first adult schools in England in 1812. These schools were for poor adults who wanted to learn to read and write. He wrote a book in 1814 called A History of the Origin and Progress of Adult Schools. This book helped the idea of adult schools spread across the country.
Artistic Hobbies
Even though Quakers were often very strict, Thomas Pole had a creative side. He loved to draw and paint. He made many water-colour drawings of landscapes and buildings. He also created art using monotints and silhouettes.
Later Life
Thomas Pole passed away in Bristol on September 28, 1829. He was 75 years old. He had married Elizabeth Barrett in 1784, and they had four children who survived him.
Works
In 1790, Thomas Pole published a book called Anatomical Instructor. This book showed how to prepare and preserve parts of the human body for study. He drew the pictures in the book himself! A new version of the book came out in 1813.
