FOXE, JOHN

(1516-87), an English martyrologist, b. in Boston, Lincoln shire. He entered the university of Oxford, taking both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1537 and 1543 respectively, being elected a full fellow of Magdalen College in 1539. He applied himself a iduously to the study of theology, and became a convert to the principles of the Reformation in 1545, resigning his fellowship in consequence. He then went abroad and gained a livelihood by correcting the pre for an eminent printer at Basle. In_the reign of Elizabeth he returned to England and came under the notice of the Duche of Richmond, through whose influence he eventually obtained employment as tutor to the children of her brother, the Earl of Surrey. In 1550 F. was ordained deacon by Ridley, Bishop of London, and began preaching the doctrines of the Reformation. He was ordained priest in 1560, and three years later was made a prebendar y in Salisbury Cathedral by the influence. of Cecil. He held succe ively the livings of Shipton and Cripple gate, but, soon resigned these, and for a year held a stall at Durham. ‘The work that has immortalized F.’s name is his History of the Acts and Monuments of the Church, known as Foze’s Book of Martyrs. The first English edition appeared in 1563, and it has since gone through innumerable editions, the best ones being by Cattley, Mendham and_ Pratt, and Stoughton. Besides this F. wrote numerous controversial and other works. F. died in London, and was buried in the chancel of St. Giles’, Cripple gate.