Thomas Dorman facts for kids

Thomas Dorman was an English Catholic thinker who lived a long time ago, in the 1500s. He was born in a place called Berkhamsted, England, but we don't know the exact year. He later passed away in a city called Tournai around 1572 or 1577.

A Young Scholar's Journey

Thomas Dorman started his education with help from his uncle, also named Thomas Dorman. He went to school in Berkhamsted, where his teacher, Richard Reeve, was a Protestant. Thomas Dorman also knew a Catholic scholar named Thomas Harding. Harding was a professor at Oxford University and was very interested in young Thomas. He helped him go to Winchester School in 1547. After Winchester, Thomas Dorman went to New College, Oxford, where Harding was also a fellow (a kind of senior student or teacher).

Life in Changing Times

When Queen Mary I ruled England, Thomas Dorman became a fellow at All Souls College in 1554. On July 9, 1558, he earned a law degree. A year or two after Queen Elizabeth I became queen, Thomas Dorman found it hard to live in England. This was because he could not agree with the new rules of the Church of England. So, he gave up his position at the college and his family money.

He then traveled to Antwerp, where he met Thomas Harding again, who was also living in exile. Harding encouraged him to continue his studies. Thomas Dorman then went to the Catholic University of Leuven and focused on studying theology, which is the study of religious beliefs.

Debates and Later Life

In 1565, he earned a divinity degree from the University of Douai and later received his doctorate there. During this time, he got into debates with important Anglican (Church of England) leaders. These included John Jewel, who was the Bishop of Salisbury, and Alexander Nowell, the Dean of St. Paul's.

In 1569, Cardinal William Allen invited him to join the new English College at Douai. Thomas Dorman helped the college with his work and also with his own money. He passed away in Tournai, where he had been given an important church position.

His Writings

Thomas Dorman wrote several books where he shared his religious views and debated with others. His main works include:

• A proufe of certeyne articles in Religion denied by M. Juel (published in Antwerp, 1564)
• A Disproufe of M. Nowelle's Reproufe (published in Antwerp, 1565)
• A Request to Mr. Jewel that he keep his promise made by solemn Protestation in his late Sermon at Paul's Cross (published in London and Louvain, 1567)