George Folbury facts for kids

George Folbury (also spelled Folberry or Folbery) was an important English church leader and a smart university teacher who lived in the 1500s. He became the head, or "Master," of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, a college at Cambridge University, in 1537. People who knew him said he was a great poet, a powerful speaker, and good at writing short, clever poems called epigrams. However, none of his own writings have survived to this day. He passed away in 1540.

Early Life and Education

George Folbury came from the Fowbery family, who lived at Fowberry Tower in Northumberland, England. He went to Cambridge University to study.

• In 1515, he earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
• In the same year, he became a "Fellow" at Clare Hall. A Fellow is like a senior student or a junior teacher who helps with teaching and research.
• In 1517, he earned his Master of Arts (MA) degree.
• Later, he earned two more advanced degrees: a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in 1524, and a Doctor of Divinity (DD) from Montpellier, France. These degrees showed his deep knowledge of religious studies.

Church and Teaching Career

Folbury was a respected figure at Cambridge University. In 1519, he was chosen to be a preacher for the university. This meant he gave important speeches and sermons.

In 1531, he was given an important position in the church. He became a "canon" and was given a special income, called a "prebend," at York Cathedral. This was a significant role in one of England's largest cathedrals.

A few years later, in 1534, he became the "rector" of Maidwell, a church leader in charge of a parish in Northamptonshire.

Tutor to a Prince

There is a strong belief that George Folbury was a teacher, or "tutor," to Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset. Henry FitzRoy was the son of King Henry VIII. Some historians think that Folbury took over as tutor from another scholar, Richard Croke, and taught the young prince until he was about 12 years old in 1531. His important church jobs after this time might have been a reward for teaching the king's son.

Leading Pembroke Hall

In 1537, George Folbury was chosen to be the "Master" of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge. This meant he was the head of the college, responsible for its students, teachers, and overall running. One of the students he taught was William Turner, who later became a famous expert on birds and plants.

George Folbury died sometime between July and November of 1540.