Richard Croke facts for kids

Richard Croke (also known as Crocus) was an important English scholar who lived from about 1489 to 1558. He was known for studying ancient Greek and Latin writings. He also worked as a teacher for the royal family and helped the king with important matters.

Richard Croke's Early Life and Learning

Richard Croke went to school at Eton College. He earned his first university degree, a Bachelor of Arts (BA), from King's College, Cambridge in 1510. After finishing his studies there, he traveled to learn more.

He studied the Greek language with famous teachers. First, he learned from William Grocyn in London and Oxford. Then, in 1511, he went to Paris to study with Erasmus and Aleander. Erasmus was a very famous scholar of that time.

In 1514, Richard Croke was invited to teach at the University of Leipzig in Germany. He stayed there for several years. Some of his students became well-known scholars themselves, like Joachim Camerarius and Caspar Creuziger.

Richard Croke's Career and Royal Service

In 1519, Richard Croke was asked by John Fisher to return to England. He began teaching Greek at the University of Cambridge. He was the second person to hold this important teaching position there.

He became the Public Orator at Cambridge in 1522. This role meant he was the official speaker for the university. In 1523, he became a Fellow at St John's College, Cambridge. He then earned his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1524.

From 1529 to 1530, Richard Croke worked for King Henry VIII in Italy. His job was to help the king with his plans to end his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Croke had also taught Greek to King Henry VIII earlier.

Later, he tutored Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, who was the king's son. While in Italy, Croke looked for legal experts and old writings to support the king's side of the argument.

When he returned to England in 1531, he became a leader at Cambridge University. He also became a vicar, which is a type of church leader, in Nottinghamshire. A year later, he moved to teach at the University of Oxford.

Richard Croke's Writings

Richard Croke wrote several works during his lifetime. These include:

• Ausonius (1515)
• Orationes Richardi Croci duos (1520)