Thomas Linacre,
PHYSICIAN,
Or Lynacer, was born at Canterbury about 1460, and educated there and at Oxford. Thence he accompanied his schoolmaster, William de Selling, to Rome, on a Mission from Henry VII. There he studied medicine and philosophy under Hermalanus Barbaras, and perfected himself at Florence in Greek, under Demetrius Chalcondyles. On his return to England he gave instruction in physic, and in the Greek language at Oxford. His reputation, thus acquired, caused him to be called to Court, where he became physician to the King's son. Prince Arthur, and afterwards to Henry VIII. He was the founder and first President of the Royal College of Physicians, to whom he bequeathed his house in Knightrider Street. Towards the latter end of his life he took Holy Orders, and held several preferments. He died October 20th, 1624, and was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral. He was a man of great ability and learning, and the author and translator of several learned treatises. He was a friend of Sir John Cheke, Melancthon, and Erasmus (who has described him as "Vir non exacti tantum sed severi judicii"), and most learned men of the time.
[See "Fuller's Worthies" "Wood's Athenæ," by Bliss; and "Biographia Britannica," etc.]