Dr. RICHARD COX.
f~|F^HIS learned Divine was born at Whaddon, in Buckinghamfhire, of
A obfcure parents, in the year 1499.
He received, probably, the rudiments of his education in the fmall
priory of Snelfhall in the parifh of Whaddon; was afterwards fent to
Eton-fchool, and thence elected into a fcholarihip at King’s-college in
Cambridge, in 1518, of which he became Fellow in 1519. The fame
year he took his Bachelor of Arts degree; and, having become eminent for
piety and learning, was invited to Oxford by Cardinal Wolfey, as one of
thofe bright fcholars intended to fill up his new foundation ; when he was
preferred to be one of the Junior Canons of Cardinal-college, now abforbed
into Chrift-church : in 1525 he was incorporated Bachelor of Arts at Oxford
alfo, and in 1526 proceeded Mailer of Arts. He was reputed one of the
greateil fcholars of his age ; and his poetical compofitions are faid to have
been in great efteem. Upon what ground this latter encomium reils is not
very clear; his verfion of the Lord’s Prayer, at the end of Sternhold and
Hopkins’ Pfalms, will not confer on him the character of a Poet : he might
have compofed fome Latin verfes in his youth ; a common practice with
thofe who receive a claffical education ; and upon this foundation many
perfons, with as little pretenfions to the title, have been denominated
Poets.
By his averfion to many of the Popifh fuperilitions, and open preference
for fome of Luther’s opinions, he drew on himfelf the difpleafure of the
Governors of the Univerfity, who deprived him of his preferment, and
imprifoned him on fufpicion of herefy. On his releafement he left
Oxford, and was fome time after chofen Mafter of Eton-fchool, which
flouiifhed exceedingly through his induflry and vigilance. In 1537 he
commenced Dodlor in Divinity at Cambridge; in 1540 was made
Arch deacon of Ely; and in 1541 was appointed the firft Prebendary