Thomas Hobson

Thomas Hobson (about 1544-1631) was a carrier based in Cambridge. His name survives in the phrase Hobson's choice, which came into use only after his death. The poet John Milton helped to spread it with several mock epitaphs on the carrier.

St Catharine's College

Hobson ran a livery stable outside the gates of St Catharine's College and rented horses to students and academic staff. The George Inn, where his stable stood, was on ground that is now part of the college, and the stables occupied the ground under the present college chapel. The college came into possession of the inn in 1637. The stable had become well known for his rule that a hirer must take the horse that had been standing longest, which gave rise to the saying.

Hobson's Conduit and Nine Wells

Hobson was one of several people involved in building Hobson's Conduit, the channel dug between 1610 and 1614 to bring clean water into the town. Its water comes from the springs at Nine Wells. He endowed a trust to look after the waterway, and the trust still exists. A monument at Nine Wells, put up in 1861 by public subscription, records the benefactors, and it lists Hobson among them. The original gutters of the oldest branch can still be seen on either side of Trumpington Street.

Lensfield Road

A major fire in 1849 led to a new fountain for the Market Place branch of the conduit, put up in 1855. The old fountain was moved in 1856 to the corner of Lensfield Road and Trumpington Road, where it serves as a monument to Hobson.

Anglesey Abbey

Hobson was among the early owners of Anglesey Abbey, recorded as buying the former priory in 1625 and converting it into a country house. The house now belongs to the National Trust.

St Bene't's Church

His burial place is St Bene't's Church, beside the chancel, though nothing there marks the spot with an inscription or monument. All eight of his children were baptised there.

Visiting

The conduit gutters on Trumpington Street and the monument on Lensfield Road are both on public streets. Hobson Street, in the city centre, is named after him.