10 Facts About John Caius

John Caius was a physician in London in 1547, and was admitted as a fellow of the College of Physicians, of which he was for many years president.

John Caius was physician to Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

John Caius was incongruously accused both of atheism, and of keeping secretly a collection of ornaments and vestments for Roman Catholic use.

John Caius probably devised, and certainly presented, the silver caduceus now in the possession of Caius College as part of its insignia.

John Caius first gave it to the College of Physicians, and afterwards presented the London College with another.

John Caius was a pioneer naturalist, prepared to make his own observations about nature rather than simply relying on accepted authorities.

John Caius was ready to make journeys about the country to see and record unusual animals.

John Caius corresponded with the Swiss naturalist Conrad Gesner, with whom he had made friends while returning from Padua.

John Caius wrote a study of British dogs to send to Gesner as a contribution to Gesner's Historiae animalium, and sent Gesner drawings of dogs, which were printed in later editions of Gesner's work.

John Caius's last literary production was a history of Cambridge University, Historia Cantabrigiensis Academiae.