William Framyngham facts for kids

William Framyngham (born 1512, died 1537) was an English writer. He lived during the time of King Henry VIII.

Early Life and Education

William Framyngham was born in February 1512 in a city called Norwich, England. He went to grammar school there. One of his classmates was a boy named John Caius, who later became a famous doctor.

After grammar school, William went to Cambridge University. He first studied at Pembroke Hall. Later, he moved to Queens' College. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1530. Three years later, in 1533, he earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.

Life at Queens' College

William Framyngham became a fellow at Queens' College in 1530. A fellow is like a senior member or teacher at a university. He stayed there until he died. For three years, from 1534, he also worked as a bursar. A bursar is someone who manages the money for the college.

William Framyngham died on September 25, 1537. He was only 25 years old. He left all his books to his good friend and old schoolmate, Dr. John Caius.

John Caius described William as a very smart and hardworking person. He said William had an amazing memory, a creative mind, read a lot, and worked tirelessly.

His Writings

William Framyngham was an author. His friend John Caius said they wrote some notes and comments together called Scholia. However, these writings were lost and could not be found later.

John Caius listed some of William Framyngham's other works. Most of them were written in Latin, which was common for scholars at that time. Here are a few examples:

• De Continentia lib. ii. (This was a prose work, meaning it was written in regular sentences, not poetry.)
• De Consolatione ad Æmilianum cæcum lib. i. (This was a poem written to comfort someone who was blind. William himself became blind from studying too much.)
• D. Laurentii Martyrium (This was a poem about the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence.)
• Εκπύ-ρωσις, sive Incendium Sodomorum (This was a poem about the burning of Sodom.)
• Idololatria (A poem about idol worship.)
• Άρέτη, sive in laudem virtutis (A poem praising virtue.)
• Epigrammatum lib. ii. (This was a collection of short, witty poems called epigrams.)

William Framyngham's writings show he was a talented scholar and poet, even though he died at a young age.