William Grocyn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Grocyn
William Grocyn lectures in Greek at Oxford (Victorian window in Worcester Cathedral)
Born	c. 1446 Colerne, Wiltshire
Died	1519
Nationality	English
Occupation	Scholar
Known for	friend of Erasmus

William Grocyn (c. 1446 – 1519) was an important English scholar. He was a good friend of the famous writer Erasmus. Grocyn helped bring new ways of thinking and learning, especially about the Greek language, to England.

He was born in Colerne, Wiltshire. His parents wanted him to join the church. He went to Winchester College and then New College, Oxford. Grocyn held many jobs in the church. He also taught at Oxford University.

Grocyn traveled to Italy to study Greek and Latin. When he came back, he helped teach these subjects in England. Erasmus thought of him as a friend and teacher. Grocyn was very generous, which sometimes caused him money problems. He died in 1519. Even though he didn't write many books, he was known for his great knowledge and good character.

William Grocyn's Early Life and Education

William Grocyn was born around 1446 in a place called Colerne, in Wiltshire, England. His family planned for him to become a church leader. Because of this, he went to Winchester College, a famous school.

In 1465, he earned a special scholarship to study at New College, Oxford. This was a big achievement. While at Oxford, he became a fellow in 1467. One of his students was William Warham, who later became a very important church leader called the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Grocyn's Career and Travels

In 1479, Grocyn took a job as a rector in Newton Longville. But he still lived in Oxford. In 1481, he taught divinity at Magdalen College. He even had a debate in front of King Richard III. The king was so impressed by Grocyn's debating skills that he gave him a deer and some money.

Around 1488, Grocyn left England to travel to Italy. This was a very important trip for him. He visited famous cities like Florence, Rome, and Padua. While there, he studied the Greek and Latin languages. He learned from great teachers like Demetrius Chalcondyles and Politian.

When Grocyn returned to England in 1491, he started teaching at Exeter College, Oxford. He played a key role in teaching Greek to people in England. This was part of a new wave of learning called humanism.

Friendships and Later Years

The famous scholar Erasmus said that Grocyn taught Greek at Oxford even before his trip to Italy. Grocyn lived in Oxford until 1499. Later, he moved to London.

In London, Grocyn became good friends with John Colet, who was the dean of St Paul's. Colet asked Grocyn to give lectures at St Paul's. Grocyn also had other famous friends, including Thomas Linacre, William Lilye, William Latimer, and Thomas More. Erasmus, writing in 1514, called Grocyn "the friend and teacher of us all."

Grocyn held several positions in the church. However, he was very generous to his friends. This often led to him having money problems. Even when he became the master of the College of All Saints, Maidstone in 1506, he still had to borrow money.

William Grocyn passed away in 1519. He was buried in his church in Maidstone. His friend Linacre used the money he received from Grocyn's will to help the poor and buy books for students who couldn't afford them.

Grocyn's Legacy

Grocyn did not write many books himself. He wrote a few lines of Latin poetry and a letter. He had planned to translate the works of Aristotle with his friends Linacre and Latimer, but this project never happened.

Despite not writing much, Grocyn was highly respected. Erasmus described him as a man with a very strict and moral life. He was also very learned in church teachings and had a sharp mind. Erasmus said Grocyn was skilled in every kind of learning.

Today, William Grocyn's name lives on at the University of Oxford. The main lecturer for Classical languages at the university is named after him.

See also

• List of Erasmus's correspondents

Images for kids

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  William Grocyn lectures in Greek at Oxford