Thomas Guy, an English philanthropist, born at Horsleydown in 104:5, died in London, Dec. 17, 1724. In 1660 he was apprenticed to a bookseller in London, and after his apprenticeship commenced business with a capital of £200. Being very parsimonious, he rapidly accumulated a fortune. He farmed the privilege of printing Bibles from Oxford university, and during Queen Anne's wars bought government securities at a depreciated rate. He also made large sums by buying South sea stock. He had engaged to marry a favorite servant maid, but for some trifling offence he broke his engagement and repudiated her. From this period he determined to lead a life of celibacy, and to devote his property to eleemosynary purposes. The erection of the hospital at Southwark which bears his name cost £18,793, and the sum which he left for its endowment amounted to £210,499. He also built an almshouse at Tamworth in Staffordshire, for 14 poor men and women, and bequeathed to it £125 a year; while to Christ's hospital, London, he left an annuity of £400 for ever.

Esteemed an avaricious and selfish man by his contemporaries, he yet dedicated more money to charitable objects than any other private individual on record in England. He also left £80,000 to be divided among those proving any degree of relationship to him.