Holland, Philemon
, a noted translator, was descended from an ancient family of the Hollands of Lancashire, and was the son of John Holland, a pious divine,
who, in queen Mary’s reign, was obliged to go abroad for
the sake of religion; but afterwards returned, and became
pastor of Dunmowin Essex, where he died in 1578. Philemon was born at Chelmsford in Essex, about the latter
end of the reign of Edward VI. and after being instructed
at the grammar-school of that place, was sent to Trinitycollege, Cambridge, where he was pupil to Dr. Hampton,
and afterwards to Dr. Whitgift. He was admitted fellow of
his college, but left the university after having taken the
degree of M. A. in which degree he was incorporated at
Oxford in 1587. He was appointed head master, of the
free-school of Coventry, and in this laborious station he not
only attended assiduously to the duties of his office, but
served the interests of learning, by undertaking those numerous translations, which gained him the title of “Translator general of the age.” He likewise studied medicine,
and practised with considerable reputation in his neighbourhood; and at length, when at the age of forty, became
a doctor of physic in the university of Cambridge. He
was a peaceable, quiet, and good man in all the relations
of private life, and by his habits of temperance and regularity attained his 85th year, not only with the full possession of his intellects, but his sight was so good, that
he never had occasion to wear spectacles. He continued
to translate till his 80th year; and his translations, though
devoid of elegance, are accounted faithful and accurate.
Among these are, translations into English of “Livy,”
written, it is said, with one pen, which a lady of his acquaintance so highly prized that she had it embellished
with silver, and kept as a great curiosity. “Pliny’s Natural History,” “Plutarch’s Morals,” Suetonius,“”Ammianus Marcellinus,“” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia,“and” Camdeu’s Britannia,“to the last of which he made
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several useful additions: and into Latin he translated the geographical part of” Speed’s Theatre of Great Britain,“and
a French” Pharmacopoeia of Brice Bauderon." A quibbling epigram upon his translation of Suetonius has often
been retailed in jest books:
"Philemon with translations does so fill us,
He will not let Suetonius be Tranquillus."
He died Feb. 9, 1636, and was buried in the church of
Coventry. He married a Staffordshire lady, by whom he
had seven sons and three daughters, all of whom he survived except one son and his daughters. One of his sons,
Henry, appears to have been a bookseller in London, and
was editor of the “Heroologia Anglicana,” a valuable collection of English portraits, with short lives, but the latter
are not very correct, or satisfactory. These portraits were
chiefly engraved by the family of Pass, and many of them
are valued as originals, having never been engraved since
but as copies from these. They are sixty-five in number.
He also published “Monumenta Sepulchralia Ecclesiae S.
Pauli, Lond.” 4to, and, “A Book of Kings, being a true
and lively effigies of all our English kings from the Conquest,” 1618. When he died is not mentioned. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names)in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The Romane historie vvritten by T. Livius of Padua. Also, the Breviaries of L. Florus: with a chronologie to the whole historie: and the Topographie of Rome in old time. Translated out of Latine into English, by Philemon Holland, Doctor in PhysickeAb urbe condita. English (1600)
The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatiseMoralia. English (1603)
The Roman historie containing such acts and occurrents as passed under Constantius, Iulianus, Iovianus, Valentinianus, and Valens, emperours. Digested into 18. bookes, the remains of 31. and written first in Latine by Ammianus Marcellinus: now translated newly into English. Wherunto is annexed the chronologie, serving in stead of a briefe supplement of those former 13. bookes, which by the iniurie of time are lost: together with compendious annotations and coniectures upon such hard places as occurre in the said historie. Done by Philemon Holland of the citie of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke.Rerum gestarum libri. English (1609)
Cyrupædia The institution and life of Cyrus, the first of that name, King of Persians. Eight bookes. Treating of noble education, of princely exercises, military discipline, vvarlike stratagems, preparations and expeditions: as appeareth by the contents before the beginning of the first booke. Written in Greeke by the sage Xenophon. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine and French translations, by Philemon Holland of the city of Coventry Doctor in Physick. Dedicated to his most excellent Maiesty.Cyropaedia. English (1632)
Gutta podrica: a treatise of the gout The severall sorts thereof. VVhat diet is good for such as are troubled therewith. And some approved medicines and remedies for the same. Perused by P.H. Dr. in Physick. (1633)
The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tomeNaturalis historia. English (1634)
Britain, or A chorographicall description of the most flourishing kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the ilands adjoyning, out of the depth of antiquitie beautified vvith mappes of the severall shires of England: vvritten first in Latine by William Camden Clarenceux K. of A. Translated newly into English by Philémon Holland Doctour in Physick: finally, revised, amended, and enlarged with sundry additions by the said author.Britannia. English (1637)
Regimen sanitatis Salerni: or, The schoole of Salernes regiment of health. Containing, most learned and judicious directions and instructions, for the preservation, guide, and government of mans life. Dedicated, unto the late high and mighty King of England, from that university, and published (by consent of learned physicians) for a generall good. Reviewed, corrected, and inlarged with a commentary, for the more plain and easie understanding thereof. / By P.H. Dr. in Physicke, deceased. Whereunto is annexed, a necessary discourse of all sorts of fish, in use among us, with their effects appertaining to the health of man. As also, now, and never before, is added certain precious and approved experiments for health, by a right honorable, and noble personage.Regimen sanitatis Salernitatum. English and Latin. (1650)