GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-003902
NameThomas Byng
TitleDr
Gendermale
Denomination
Livedb. ca. 1534-01-01 - d. ca. 1592-12-23 (new)
Linked Manuscripts
Linked SermonsThe Sum of Millayans Sermon against the church of England -- scribe? (autograph: no)
Linked Reports
Associated PlacesWrotham -- HomeWrotham -- HomeCambridge University -- Place of BusinessClare College -- Place of BusinessPeterhouse -- Place of StudyYork Minster -- Post
Source of DataCatherine Evans
Biographical Sources ConsultedACAD (Venn) ID: BN552T, ODNB (ref: 4265)
Other NoteThomas Byng was the second son of John Byng of Wrotham and Agnes (nee Spencer). He was admitted to Peterhouse sizar in 1552 and gained his BA in 1555/6, became a fellow in 1558 and took his MA in 1559. He gained public recognition after arguing two theses before Queen Elizabeth in August 1564 and would contribute Greek verse to a volume in her honour. In 1565 he became public orator at Cambridge and 1567 prebendary of Strensall in York Minster. He took his LLD degree in 1570 and would be elected master of Clare College the following year. In 1571 he also married Katherine Randolph (1553-1627) with whom he would have ten sons and two daughters, including Andrew Byng, another churchman and Hebraist. In 1572 and 1578 he was vice-chancellor of the university. He became a member of Doctors' Commons and admitted to be an advocate in the ecclesiastical courts in 1572, and would be appointed regius professor of civil law in 1574. in 1590 he became one of the civilian masters in chancery, and in 1597 he would become the dean of arches, the highest judicial office open to a civilian. However, he died shortly afterwards, and was buried on 23 December 1599 in Hackney.
GEMMS record createdJuly 14, 2022
GEMMS record last editedJuly 14, 2022