Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Petre, Benjamin
PETRE, BENJAMIN (1672–1758), Roman catholic prelate, born 10 Aug. 1672, was son of John Petre (1617–1690) of Fidlers or Fithlers, Essex (who was a younger brother of William Petre [q. v.], the translator), by his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Pincheon, esq., of Writtle in that county. He was educated at the English College, Douay, and, after being admitted to the priesthood, became tutor to Lord Derwentwater, who was subsequently beheaded for treason. He was consecrated bishop of Prusa, in partibus, on 11 Nov. 1721, and appointed coadjutor, cum jure successionis, to Bonaventure Giffard [q. v.], vicar-apostolic of the London district. On the death of that prelate on 12 March 1733–4, he succeeded to the vicariate. He resided chiefly at Fidlers, died on 22 Dec. 1758, and was buried in old St. Pancras churchyard. He was succeeded by Dr. Richard Challoner [q. v.]
[Brady's Episcopal Succession, iii. 158, 161–163, 257; Catholic Directory, 1894, p. 56; Howard's Roman Catholic Families, pt. i. p. 45.]