Thomas Thomson (apothecary) facts for kids
Thomas Thomson was a Scottish apothecary, which is like a pharmacist today. He lived in Edinburgh and worked for important people, including Mary, Queen of Scots. He was known for making and selling medicines in the 1500s.
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Who Was Thomas Thomson?
Thomas Thomson was an important person in 16th-century Scotland. He was an apothecary, meaning he prepared and sold medicines. He also gave medical advice. He lived and worked in Edinburgh, the capital city.
Serving Important People
Thomas Thomson provided medicines to many powerful people. He supplied Regent Arran, who was a ruler of Scotland. He also helped Regent Arran's daughter, Barbara, Lady Gordon. Another famous client was Cardinal Beaton, a very important church leader. Regent Arran even paid Thomson a yearly fee for his services.
A Special Pearl Headband
In 1552, an Italian doctor named Girolamo Cardano visited Scotland. He saw something amazing on Thomas Thomson's daughter. She wore a headband with 73 Scottish pearls. The doctor said the pearls were all the same size and very beautiful.
Helping the Sick
In 1565, a Scottish nobleman named Patrick Ruthven, 3rd Lord Ruthven became very ill. He was sick for three months. Thomas Thomson worked with the queen's French doctor, David Preston, to treat him. Thomas Thomson died in 1572. His shop and cellar held many valuable items. These included "drugs, unguents, plasters, spices, and other medicaments." They were worth £300 Scots, which was a lot of money back then.
His Family and Legacy
Thomas Thomson had a family and left a lasting impact.
His Wife and Land
Thomas Thomson married Margaret Barton. Her grandfather was Robert Barton, a treasurer. In 1552, Thomas and Margaret bought land. They purchased the East and West Duddingston areas from Margaret's brother, Robert Barton. In January 1572, Thomson gave the Duddingston lands to his son, Alexander.
His Children
Thomas and Margaret had several children. Some of them followed in their father's footsteps.
- Alexander Thomson of Duddingston was a lawyer, called an advocate. He died in 1603. In 1594, he married Margaret Preston. She was the daughter of Samuel Preston of Craigmillar.
- Another son, also named Alexander Thomson, became an apothecary. In 1590, he had his own shop. It was in a building at the top of Niddry's Wynd in Edinburgh.
- Adam Thomson also became an apothecary.
- Janet Thomson married Adam Dickson. He was an apothecary who learned his skills from her father.
- Patrick Thomson was another son.
