Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Thomas, Noah

738283Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 56 — Thomas, Noah1898Norman Moore

THOMAS, Sir NOAH (1720–1792), physician, son of Hophni Thomas, master of a merchant vessel, was born at Neath, Glamorganshire, in 1720. He was educated at Oakham school, when Mr. Adcock was its headmaster, and was admitted as a pensioner at St. John's College, Cambridge, on 18 July 1738, and there graduated B.A. in 1742, proceeding M.A. 1746 and M.D. 1753. He settled in London, was admitted a fellow of the Royal Society on 1 Feb. 1753, was elected a fellow of the College of Physicians on 22 Dec. 1757, and delivered the Gulstonian lectures in 1759. In 1761, 1766, 1767, and 1781 he was one of the censors. He became physician extraordinary to George III in 1763, and physician in ordinary 1775, and was knighted in that year. He was also physician to the Lock Hospital. He died at Bath on 17 May 1792. His portrait was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and hangs in the combination-room of St. John's College, Cambridge. In the College of Physicians he was esteemed for his learning, but he never published any book.

[Munk's Coll. of Phys. ii. 218; extract from original register of St. John's College kindly made by the bursar, Mr. R. F. Scott.]