William Coward facts for kids

William Coward (born around 1657, died 1725) was an English doctor, writer, and poet. He is best known for his ideas about the soul, which were quite different from what most people believed back then. His writings caused a lot of debate. In fact, the Parliament thought his ideas were wrong and ordered his books to be burned.

Life of William Coward

William Coward was born in Winchester in 1656 or 1657. His aunt was the sister of John Lamphire, who was in charge of Hart Hall, Oxford, a part of Oxford University. In May 1674, Coward started studying at Hart Hall. The next year, he became a scholar at Wadham College.

He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1677. In January 1680, he was chosen as a fellow of Merton College. In 1682, he translated a famous poem by John Dryden, called Absalom and Achitophel, into Latin. However, another translation by Francis Atterbury was more popular, and Coward's version was not well-received.

Coward continued his studies, earning his M.A. in 1683, M.B. (Bachelor of Medicine) in 1685, and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in 1687. He first worked as a doctor in Northampton. Later, around 1693 or 1694, he moved his practice to Lombard Street in London. He was accepted as a candidate at the College of Surgeons in 1695. He remained a member until 1725, which is when his name stopped appearing on their lists, suggesting he had passed away.

Controversial Ideas on the Soul

In 1702, William Coward published a book called Second Thoughts concerning Human Soul. He used a pen name, "Estibius Psychalethes." In this book, he argued that the idea of the human soul being a separate, immortal spirit joined to the body was not a Christian belief. Instead, he suggested it was an old pagan idea.

Coward believed that there was no separate soul. He thought that immortal life would be given to the whole person at the time of the resurrection. This idea was very different from what many religious people believed.

His book caused a big stir. Other writers, like William Nichols and John Broughton, wrote replies to his arguments. The famous philosopher John Locke also commented on Coward's work, though not always kindly.

In 1704, a complaint about Coward's books was made in the House of Commons. A special group was formed to look at his writings. Coward was called to explain himself and said he was ready to take back anything that went against religion or good morals.

However, the House of Commons decided that his books contained "offensive doctrines." They ordered the books to be burned by the common hangman, a public official who carried out such tasks. This event actually made Coward's books more famous. He even published another edition of Second Thoughts that same year.

In 1706, he published another work called The Just Scrutiny, which continued to explore his ideas about the soul. He also wrote a medical book called Ophthalmoiatria in 1706. In this book, he made fun of the idea that an invisible soul lived in a tiny part of the brain called the pineal gland. Even though his friend Sir Hans Sloane helped him with the book, Coward insisted on keeping his controversial opinions in it.

People like Jonathan Swift, a well-known writer of that time, often made fun of Coward and others who shared similar ideas, calling them "deists" (people who believe in God but not in traditional religious teachings).

Other Writings

Besides his controversial works, William Coward also wrote poetry. One of his poetic works was The Lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, an heroic poem, published in 1705. This poem seems to have been lost over time.

Another important poetic work was Licentia Poetica discussed, published in 1709. This book talked about how poets should write and included his thoughts on famous poets like Homer, Horace, Virgil, Milton, Cowley, and Dryden. Famous writers like Aaron Hill and John Gay even wrote short poems praising Coward's work in this book.

Coward also published several medical books. These included De Fermento volatili nutritivo conjectura rationis (1695), Alcali Vindicatium (1698), and Remediorum Medicinalium Tabula (1704).