John Cheke
Sir John Cheke (or Cheek; 16 June 1514 – 13 September 1557) was an English classical scholar and statesman. One of the foremost teachers of his age, and the first Regius Professor of Greek at the University of Cambridge, he played a great part in the revival of Greek learning in England. He was tutor to Prince Edward, the future King Edward VI, and also sometimes to Princess Elizabeth. Of strongly Reformist sympathy in religious affairs, his public career as provost of King's College, Cambridge, Member of Parliament and briefly as Secretary of State during King Edward's reign was brought to a close by the accession of Queen Mary in 1553. He went into voluntary exile abroad, at first under royal licence (which he overstayed). He was captured and imprisoned in 1556, and recanted his faith to avoid death by burning. He died not long afterward, reportedly regretting his decision.
Sir John Cheke | |
|---|---|
Portrait from the biography The Life of the Learned Sir John Cheke, Kt (1705) by John Strype | |
| Regius Professor of Greek (Cambridge) | |
| In office 1540–1547 | |
| Appointed by | Henry VIII |
| Monarch | Henry VIII |
| Preceded by | Post established |
| Succeeded by | Nicholas Carr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 June 1514 Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Died | 13 September 1557 (aged 43) London, Greater London, England |
| Spouse |
Mary Cheke (m. 1547) |
| Relations | Thomas Cheek (grandson; via Henry) Robert Rich, 1st Earl of Warwick (co-father-in-law; via Thomas) |
| Children | Henry Cheke John Cheke Edward Cheke |
| Parent(s) | Agnes Duffield (mother) Peter Cheke (father) |