Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Edwards, John (fl.1638)
EDWARDS or EDWARDES, JOHN, M.D. (fl. 1638), Sedleian reader at Oxford (his name is written 'Edwardes' in the school register and university books), was born 27 Feb. 1600 (School Reg.), educated at Merchant Taylors' School, and in 1617 elected thence to a probationary fellowship at St. John's College, Oxford. He gained there the favour of the president, Dr. (afterwards Archbishop) Laud, who in 1632 obtained for him, by 'special recommendation and request,' the head-mastership of Merchant Taylors' School. He resigned this post at the close of 1634, and returning to Oxford served the office of proctor in the following year. In 1638 he was appointed Sedleian reader of natural philosophy, and proceeded to the degrees of B. and D.M. He appears to have resided in college during the troublous times that followed, and in 1642 was, with others, appointed by convocation to provide accommodation for the troopers sent to Oxford, and procure arms for the further safety of the university. His loyalty made him obnoxious to the parliament, and in 1647 he was summoned, as a delinquent, to appear before the committee of lords and commons for regulating the affairs of the university. His answers being unsatisfactory, he was placed by the visitors in 1648 for a time in custody of the provost marshal for 'manifold misdemeanours.' His fellowship was taken from him, and he was superseded in the office of Sedleian reader by Joshua Crosse of Magdalen. He was, however, permitted to receive the emoluments of the readership until Michaelmas 1649, after which date all record of him disappears. It is not probable that he survived to the Restoration, as in that case his spirited conduct and pecuniary losses would have met with recognition.
[Robinson's Reg. of Merchant Taylors' School; Oxford Mat. Reg.; Woods Fasti, i. 477, 508, 509. and Annals; Burrows's Reg. of the Visitors of the Univ. of Oxford, 1647-68 (Camd. Soc.)]
Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.113
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
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| 121 | i | 21 | Edwards, John (fl. 1638): for 1638 read 1636 |