Thomas Hobson

THOMAS HOBSON was the first person in the kingdom who carried on the business of letting horses for hire, and had a good business in this way among the undergraduates.

"He kept a large stable of horses, good cattle, always ready and fit for travelling, with boots, bridle, and whip to furnish the gentlemen at once without going from college to college to borrow."

When a man came for a horse he was led into the stable, where there were many horses, he was obliged to take the horse which stood next the stable-door so that every customer was alike well served according to his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice.

Hence the well-known proverb which has made his name so famous, "It is Hobson's choice," viz., that or none.