Arnold Boate

Arnold Boate (1606–1653) was a Dutch physician, writer and Hebraist who spent much of his life abroad, and lived for several years in Dublin. There he married Margaret Dongan, a judge's daughter, whom he portrayed lovingly in his book The Character of a Truly Virtuous and Pious Woman. He was the brother of Gerard Boate, author of The Natural History of Ireland, for which Arnold supplied much of the material. Both Gerard and Arnold were members of the Hartlib circle.

Born Arnold de Boot in Gorinchem in the Netherlands, he was a younger son of the knight Godfried de Boot (c.1570-1625) and his wife Christine van Loon. With his brother he attended the University of Leiden and qualified as a doctor of medicine. He also developed a deep interest in Hebrew studies and in particular the correct reading of the Old Testament. His first book, co-written with Francis Taylor and entitled Examen Praefationis Morini in Biblia Graeca de Textus Ebraici et Graeci authoritate was published in Leiden in 1630.

He and Gerard moved to London about 1630 to practice medicine. It was said that they became involved in a dispute with the Royal College of Physicians, but Arnold was lucky enough to become personal physician to Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester. Leicester was later appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland and, though he never actually went to Ireland, he may have recommended Arnold to his Irish friends. Arnold's writings had already brought him to the attention of James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh, and it was Ussher who invited Arnold to Ireland in 1636. He became Ussher's personal physician, and was later appointed Surgeon-General to the Irish Army. He also built up a flourishing private practice among the Dutch community in Dublin.

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