GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-000142
NameWilliam Smyth
TitleDr
Gendermale
Denomination
Livedb. 1582-10-04 - d. 1658-05-06 (old)
Linked Manuscripts
Linked SermonsSermon on Romans 8:34 -- preacher (autograph: no)
Linked Reports
Associated PlacesAlvechurch -- ParishFryerning -- ParishIngatestone -- ParishTredington -- ParishExeter College -- Place of StudyWadham College -- Post
Source of DataRichard Snoddy; Benjamin Durham; David Robinson
Biographical Sources ConsultedODNB (Article: 65930)
Other NoteBorn in Taunton, Somerset 4 October 1582, possibly to William and Marie Smyth who were married there in 1580. Matriculated from Exeter College, Oxford 23 March 1599. BA, 1604; MA, 1606; BD and DD, 1619. While at Exeter, he formed a connection with the Petre family, known to have Catholic sympathies. It was a result of their patronage that he was made rector of Ingatestone in 1619 and Fryerining in 1620, both of which he held until 1630. Appointed warden of Wadham College in 1617 by Dorothy Petre, who founded the college with her husband Nicholas Wadham. Tutor to Thomas Weston around 1624, the son of the crypto-papist Lord Treasurer Weston. He also developed a connection with William Laud, being appointed a delegate for Laud's reform of the university statutes in 1629, and serving as vice-chancellor during Laud's chancellorship between 1630 and 1632. In addition to his academic posts, Smyth was also appointed rector of Alvechurch in 1627, and Tredington in 1629, both in Worcestershire. Canon of Worcester Cathedral in 1638. Resigned his wardenship of Wadham in 1635 to marry Anne, daughter of Rowland Berkeley. She died in 1638. He remarried Katherine Clerke in 1642. Both marriages were childless. Resigned from Alveschurch in 1643 after ardent Calvinist John Prideaux became bishop of Worcester. Was ejected from Tredington in 1646. He spent his final years at Oriel College, a sanctuary of sorts for royalists. Died 6 May 1658.
GEMMS record createdNovember 03, 2015
GEMMS record last editedDecember 01, 2018