Anthony Wotton facts for kids

Anthony Wotton (born around 1561 – died 1626) was an English church leader and a person who loved to debate religious ideas. He held strong Puritan beliefs, which meant he wanted the Church of England to be simpler and more focused on the Bible. He was also the very first Gresham Professor of Divinity, a special teaching job at a new college.

Who Was Anthony Wotton?

Anthony Wotton was born in London around 1561. He went to Eton College, a famous school, and then studied at King's College, Cambridge, starting in 1579. His teacher there was William Temple. Anthony Wotton earned his first degree in 1583 and a master's degree in 1587.

In 1594, he had a formal debate at Cambridge with John Overall. This debate was watched by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, a powerful nobleman, who then made Wotton his personal chaplain (a kind of religious advisor).

When a famous theologian named William Whitaker died, Wotton hoped to get his important teaching job at Cambridge. Even though Wotton was praised for his debating skills, John Overall was chosen instead. This was because younger students at Cambridge preferred Overall's more moderate views over Wotton's strong Puritan beliefs.

Becoming a Professor

In March 1596, Gresham College was founded in London. Anthony Wotton was chosen to be its very first professor of divinity. This meant he taught about religious subjects. He held this job for less than two years. He left the position and his fellowship at King's College when he got married on October 27, 1598. His wife was Sybell Brisley.

Preaching and Challenges

After leaving Gresham College, Wotton became a lecturer (a type of preacher) at All Hallows, Barking, a church in London. He kept this job until he died. All his books were published from his home on Tower Hill.

Because of his strong Puritan views, he didn't get many other important church jobs. However, he became a very well-known and popular preacher. In 1604, he was temporarily stopped from preaching by John Bancroft, a bishop. This happened because Wotton prayed that "the king's eyes might be opened," which was seen as a hint that the king was not seeing things clearly. Luckily, his suspension didn't last long.

Anthony Wotton passed away on December 11, 1626, at his house on Tower Hill.

His Family

Anthony Wotton had several children. His oldest son, also named Anthony, was born in 1599 but died young.

His second son, Samuel, was born on August 30, 1600. Samuel also went to Eton and King's College, Cambridge. He became a doctor of divinity. In 1640, he became the rector (head priest) of a church in Norfolk. Samuel died in 1681. He helped his father by translating a book on logic by a philosopher named Pierre de la Ramée. This book was published in 1626.

His third son, John, was also a fellow at King's College. He was a vicar (a type of priest) in Weedon, Northamptonshire. He lost his job around 1650 and died about 1659.

What He Wrote

Anthony Wotton was a writer who often debated religious ideas. Here are some of his important works:

• A Defence of Perkins's Booke called "A Reformed Catholicke" (1606): This was a long book defending the ideas of another Puritan writer, William Perkins, against a Catholic writer.
• A Trial of the Romish Clergies Title to the Church (1608): In this book, Wotton argued against the claims of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Sermons upon a Part of the first Chapter of the Gospel of St. John (1609): This book contained sermons he preached at All Hallows, Barking.
• Runne from Rome, or a Treatise shewing the Necessitie of separating from the Church of Rome (1624): In this work, Wotton argued why people should separate from the Roman Catholic Church. He tried to disprove the ideas of a famous Catholic leader, Cardinal Bellarmine.
• De Reconciliatione Peccatoris libri v. (1624): This book was written in Latin.