Thomas Young (theologian) facts for kids

Thomas Young (born around 1587, died 1655) was an important Scottish minister and a smart thinker. He lived in England for much of his life. He was part of a special group called the Westminster Assembly, which was a big meeting of church leaders. Young was also the main writer for a group of leading Puritan churchmen known as Smectymnuus. He was even a teacher for the famous writer John Milton when Milton was a boy. Young also led Jesus College, Cambridge, which is a part of the famous Cambridge University.

A Life of Learning and Faith

Early Years and Education

Thomas Young was born in Perthshire, Scotland, around 1587. His father, William Young, was a vicar, which is a type of church minister. Thomas went to St Andrews University and finished his studies in 1606. After that, he moved south to England.

Working in London and Tutoring John Milton

Before 1612, Young started working in London. He was an assistant teacher to Thomas Gataker, another important scholar. Young taught John Milton when Milton was about ten years old. This was likely between 1618 and 1622. They even kept writing letters to each other later on.

Minister in Hamburg and Stowmarket

After his time in London, Thomas Young took a job in Hamburg, Germany. He worked there as a minister for English merchants. In 1628, he came back to England. He then became the vicar at Stowmarket, a town in England.

The Smectymnuus Group

Thomas Young was the main writer of a famous pamphlet called An Answer. This paper was signed with the name Smectymnuus. It was written to reply to another paper that defended bishops in the church. That other paper was written by Joseph Hall. Young's paper started a series of other publications.

Role in the Westminster Assembly

In 1643, Thomas Young became a member of the Westminster Assembly. This was a very important meeting of church leaders. They met to discuss how the church should be run. In 1644, he also became the Master of Jesus College in Cambridge. However, he was removed from this position in 1650.

Later Years in Stowmarket

From 1628 until his death in 1655, Young was the vicar at the church of St Peter and St Mary in Stowmarket. You can still see his portrait hanging on the south wall inside the church today.

Writings by Thomas Young

• Dies Dominica (1639)
• Hope's Incouragement pointed at (1644)
• Smectymnuus Redivivus (1669)