Francis Gregory (divine)

Francis Gregory
MA D.D
Born 1625
Died 1707
Nationality British
Occupation Divine

Francis Gregory, D.D. (c.1625 – 1707) was an English divine and schoolmaster.

Early life

Gregory, born about 1625, was a native of Woodstock, Oxfordshire. He was educated at Westminster School under Busby, who, as he afterwards said, was not only a master but a father to him, and in 1641 was elected to a scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating M.A. in 1648. He returned to Westminster School as usher till he was appointed head-master of the grammar school at Woodstock.

Teaching career

He was a successful teacher, and numbered among his pupils several sons of noble families. An ardent royalist he was chosen to preach the thanksgiving sermon for the Restoration at St. Mary's, Oxford, 27 May 1660, and afterwards published it under the title of ‘David's Return from Banishment.’ He also published ‘Votivum Carolo, or a Welcome to his sacred Majesty Charles II from the Master and Scholars of Woodstock School,’ a volume of English and Latin verses composed by Gregory and his pupils.

Shortly afterwards he became head-master of a newly founded school at Witney, Oxfordshire, and 22 Sept. 1661 he was incorporated D.D. of Oxford University from St. Mary Hall. He was appointed a chaplain to the King, and in 1671 was presented by Earl Rivers to the living of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire. He. kept this post till his death in 1707. He was buried in the church, where a tablet was erected to his memory.

Published works

He also printed several sermons, including

References

     This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Gregory, Francis". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. 

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, December 03, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.