Author: Thomas Guy
Date of birth: 1644
Date of death: 1724
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Thomas Guy was born in Southwark, England, the son of a lighterman, wharf owner and coal-dealer. In 1668, after eight years as an apprentice of a bookseller, he opened his own bookstore in London, selling bibles imported from the Netherlands. Later he began printing Bibles through the University of Oxford Press, and he became book publisher.
In 1704, Guy became a governor of St Thomas' Hospital. In 1707 he commissioned three wards and he continued to support the hospital. In 1725, he opened the Guy's Hospital across the street. When he died in 1724, he left the bulk of his inheritance to the Guy's Hospital.
In addition to selling books, Guy was a stock speculator. He invested in government securities and bought shares the South Sea Company, which he sold at great profit in 1720. During the British wars against the Louis XIV of France, he speculated in seamen's pay tickets.
