Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cradock, Zachary
CRADOCK, ZACHARY (1633–1695), provost of Eton, was brother of Samuel Cradock [q. v.] His father was settled in Rutlandshire. He was educated at Emanuel, and Queens' College, Cambridge, and elected fellow of the latter 2 Aug. 1654. In 1656 Ralph Cudworth recommended him to secretary Thurloe as resident chaplain at Lisbon, and he held the post for several years (Thurloe, Papers v. 522; Cal. State Papers, 1657, p. 466). He became canon of Chichester 11 Feb. 1669–70, and fellow of Eton College in December 1671. He was also chaplain in ordinary to Charles II. On 24 Feb. 1680–1 he was elected provost of Eton, in succession to Richard Allestree [q. v.], and in opposition to Edmund Waller the poet, who, according to Wood, ‘had tugged hard for it.’ In June 1695 it was reported that the deanery of Lincoln was offered him. He died in September 1695, and was buried in Eton college chapel. He was very celebrated as a preacher. Evelyn the diarist was acquainted with him and frequently visited him at Eton. A sermon by him was preached before the king, 10 Feb. 1677–8, was published in 1678, and went through five editions before 1695. It was reissued in 1740 and in 1742. Another sermon was issued posthumously in 1706.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. (Bliss), iii. 1272; Harwood's Alumni Etonenses, 29; Evelyn's Diary, ii. 353, 355, iii. 19; Luttrell's Relation, i. 68, iii. 489, 536, 538.]