Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Paston, Edward
PASTON, EDWARD, D.D. (1641–1714), president of Douay College, born in Norfolk in 1640, was the son of William Paston, esq., of Appleton in that county. He was sent to the English College at Douay when only ten years of age, arriving there on 24 Sept. 1651; and he was ordained priest at Bruges on 10 April 1666. Afterwards he was appointed professor of divinity at Douay. On 5 Feb. 1680–1 he was created D.D. On 11 June 1682 he set out for England, with the intention of remaining here as a missioner; but he returned to Douay in May 1683, and was employed in teaching divinity, as before. On the accession of James II he revisited this country, and lived privately in London till June 1688, when he was chosen president of Douay College in the place of Dr. James Smith, who had been raised to the episcopal dignity. He arrived at Douay on 22 July, governed the college with success for about twenty-six years, and died on 21 July 1714.
[Dodd's Church Hist. iii. 479; Husenbeth's Colleges and Convents on the Continent, p. 4; Panzani's Memoirs, p. 402.]