John Richardson (translator) facts for kids
John Richardson was an important scholar who lived from about 1564 to 1625. He was born in a place called Linton in Cambridgeshire, England. John Richardson became a deep student of the Bible. He also served as the head, or "Master," of Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university college, from 1615 until he passed away.
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John Richardson's Journey
John Richardson started his studies at Clare College, Cambridge in 1578. He was a "sizar," which meant he received financial help to study. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1581. Later, he became a "fellow" at Emmanuel College. This meant he was a senior member of the college, often teaching or doing research. He continued his education, earning more advanced degrees over the years.
Important Roles at Cambridge
In 1607, John Richardson became the Regius Professor of Divinity. This was a very important teaching job at the university, focusing on religious studies. He then became the Master of Peterhouse in 1609. This role meant he was in charge of that college. In 1615, he moved to become the Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, which was an even bigger and more famous college.
Religious Debates and Leadership
John Richardson was involved in some big discussions about religious ideas at the time. He and another scholar, Richard Thomson, supported a set of beliefs called Arminianism. These ideas were different from what many others, called Calvinists, believed. Because of these disagreements, John Richardson stepped down from his teaching role in 1617. However, he continued to serve the university as its vice-chancellor in 1617 and 1618. This meant he was a senior leader helping to run the entire university.
Helping Translate the Bible
John Richardson was also very skilled at reading and understanding ancient languages, especially Hebrew. This skill was very important because he was chosen by James I of England, the King, to help translate the Bible. He was part of a group called the "First Cambridge Company." Their job was to translate parts of the Old Testament for the famous King James Version of the Bible. He worked on books like the Books of Chronicles and the Song of Songs.
When John Richardson passed away in 1625, he left money to Peterhouse college. This gift of £100 helped support the college.
