Edward Grant (headmaster) facts for kids
Edward Grant (sometimes spelled Graunt) was an important English scholar, Latin poet, and headmaster of Westminster School in the late 1500s. He was also the first person to write about the life of his friend, Roger Ascham, a famous teacher.
Life and Education
Edward Grant first studied at Westminster School. Later, he went to St John's College, Cambridge, starting in 1564. He earned his first degree there around 1567. He also spent time at Oxford University, where he received more degrees, including a Master of Arts (M.A.) and a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.).
Grant became the headmaster of Westminster School in 1572. He had worked there as an assistant teacher for about two years before that. He was the headmaster for twenty years. In 1593, William Camden took over his role. In 1587, Grant wrote a letter to Queen Elizabeth I, asking to stop teaching after 17 years.
Edward Grant also held several important church positions. He became a prebendary (a type of church official) at Westminster Abbey in 1577. He was also a canon at Ely Cathedral starting in 1589. He served as a rector (a priest in charge of a local church) in several places, including South Benfleet, Bintree, Foulsham, East Barnet, and Toppesfield. He was also a sub-dean at Westminster Abbey.
Grant passed away on August 4, 1601, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. One of his sons, Edward, died young and was also buried there. Another son, Gabriel, became a canon at Westminster Abbey later on. His brother, John, was a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge.
His Writings and Works
Edward Grant was a very close friend of Roger Ascham, a well-known scholar and tutor to Queen Elizabeth I.
In 1576, Grant published a collection of Ascham's letters. He also included a special speech he wrote about Ascham's life and death. He dedicated this entire book to Queen Elizabeth.
Grant also wrote a book about the Greek language in 1575. It was called Graecae Linguae Spicilegium. He dedicated this book to Lord Burghley, who was a very powerful government official. A shorter version of this book, created by William Camden, became a widely used Greek grammar textbook.
He also helped to improve and correct a Latin-Greek dictionary in 1581. This dictionary was dedicated to Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester.
Edward Grant also wrote poems in Greek, Latin, or English for several other books. These included works by Humphrey Lhuyd, John Prise, Thomas Tymme, John Baret, Gabriel Harvey, and John Stockwood. He also wrote Latin poems to express his sadness about the deaths of Bishop John Jewel and his friend Roger Ascham.
