John Rainolds facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Rainolds
Born	1549 Pinhoe, Exeter
Died	21 May 1607(1607-05-21) (aged 57–58)
Education	Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Known for	Work on the King James Bible

John Rainolds (also spelled Reynolds) was an important English scholar and church leader. He lived from 1549 to 1607. He was known for his strong Puritan beliefs. Rainolds is most famous for starting the idea of creating the King James Bible, which is a very well-known English translation of the Bible.

Early Life and Education

John Rainolds was born in 1549 in a place called Pinhoe, near Exeter, England. He was one of many sons in his family. He went to the University of Oxford, first at Merton College. Later, in 1563, he earned a scholarship to Corpus Christi College. Two of his brothers were already studying there. While at college, he changed his religious beliefs from Catholicism to Protestantism.

In 1568, he earned his first degree. Around this time, he became a tutor to Richard Hooker, who would also become a famous theologian. In 1566, when he was young, Rainolds acted in a play called Palamon and Arcite for Queen Elizabeth I. He played a female character named Hippolyta. The Queen gave him 8 gold coins as a reward. Later in life, Rainolds felt embarrassed about this role because he became a Puritan. Puritans often disagreed with plays, especially when men played women's parts.

Academic Career and Beliefs

In 1572, Rainolds became a teacher of Greek. His lectures on Aristotle's Rhetoric made him very well-known. He was a popular scholar.

Rainolds was a strong supporter of Puritan ideas. Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church of England and make it simpler. Because of his strong views, he sometimes had disagreements with others at the university. In 1586, he left his position at Corpus Christi College and became a tutor at Queen's College.

He also gave lectures that argued against Catholic beliefs. In 1592, Queen Elizabeth I visited Oxford. She reportedly told Rainolds to follow her laws and not be so "obstinate" in his strict Puritan views.

In 1593, Rainolds became the dean of Lincoln College, Oxford. Later, in 1598, he was elected president of Corpus Christi College, where he had studied earlier.

Creating the King James Bible

One of the most important events in John Rainolds' life was his part in the Hampton Court Conference in 1604. This was a meeting between King James I and leaders of the Church of England, including Puritans. Rainolds was the main spokesperson for the Puritans.

During the conference, Rainolds asked King James for "one only translation of the Bible . . . [be] declared authentical, and read in the church." People understood this as a request for a brand new English translation of the Bible. King James liked this idea and agreed to it.

After the conference, work began on the new Bible translation, which became known as the King James Version. Rainolds was part of the group that translated the Old Testament books known as the Prophets. This group met weekly in his rooms at Corpus Christi College. Even though his eyesight was failing and he suffered from gout (a painful joint condition), Rainolds kept working on the translation until the end of his life. He was even carried into the meeting room so he could continue his important work.

Death

John Rainolds died on May 21, 1607, from a lung disease called consumption. He was known for his great knowledge and good character. He is buried in the chapel of Corpus Christi College.

Works

• De Romanae ecclesiae idolatria (1596) - This book was about the idolatry (worship of idols) in the Roman Catholic Church.

Images for kids

• 

  A page from The Church History of Britain by Thomas Fuller (1837).

• 

  Another page from The Church History of Britain.