as the "father of shorthand," but as one of the
fathers of Harrogate.

Timothy Bright was born in Cambridge in the year 1551, matriculated in
Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1565, and took his B.A. in 1567-8. He
then went to Paris to study medicine, and in 1572 narrowly escaped the
Massacre at Paris on St. Bartholomew's Eve by taking shelter at the
house of Sir Francis Walsingham, the English ambassador. Returning to
England he graduated M.B. in 1574 and M.D. in 1579. In 1584 he was well
launched on his medical career, for he was the physician at St.
Bartholomew's Hospital. By this time he had achieved some reputation as
a writer and had obtained the friendship of the powerful Cecil Lord
Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Philip Sidney, which probably
explains how his now famous work "Characterie" was in 1588 dedicated to
Queen Elizabeth. His connection with these powerful personages led to a
change in his profession and incidentally to his connection with
Harrogate, for on July 5th, 1591, the Queen presented him to the Rectory
of Methley in Yorkshire, and on the 30th of Dec., 1594, also to the
Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in the same county. He held both these
livings till his death, which took place in 1615. By his Will he left
his body "to be buried when and where it shall please God." He was no
mean linguist for he bequeathed his Hebrew Bible and a Syriac Testament
as well as Greek, Latin and Italian works to his brother. His books of
Phisick and Philosophie he bequeathed to his sonne Titus Bright, M.D. He
was fond of music and possessed the standard work on harmony by Joseph
Zarlino. This he left, along with some instruments of music, a Theorbo
and an Irish harp, "which I most usuallye played upon" to his brother.

In spite of the fact that he took holy orders, it is evident from
"Spadacrene Anglica" that he was held in high esteem as a physician
(albeit non-practising) by his contemporaries in Yorkshire, and his
travel abroad in Germany well fitted him for the post of advocate, which
from humane and patriotic motives he assumed on behalf of the English
Spa.

Deane states that Bright first gave the name of English Spaw "about
thirty years since, or more," that is, in 1596 or earlier. This would
seem to indicate that Bright's association with Harrogate began shortly
after he was presented to the Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in 1594.

Dr. Bright was a prolific writer and the names of his works are given in
a f