Thomas Beccon or Becon (c. 1511–1567) was an English cleric and Protestant reformer from Norfolk.
Life
Beccon was born c.1511 in Norfolk, England. He entered the University of Cambridge in March 1526-27, probably St John's College.[1] He studied under Hugh Latimer and was ordained in 1533. In 1532 he was admitted a member of the community of the College of St. John the Evangelist, Rushworth - now Rushford.[2][3]
Beccon's writings were initially Lutheran. They became increasingly harsh and Zwinglian with time. In 1559 he wrote The Displaying of the Popish Mass.[10]
The following text is taken from an article by Alexander Balloch Grosart in the DNB (1885-1900), now in the public domain:[11]
"A collected edition of his works, including many unpublished, appeared in 3 vols. folio in 1563-4. In the 'Athenæ Cantabrigienses' (i. 247-9) will be found a full catalogue of the many writings of Becon, to the number of forty-seven. The Rev. John Ayre, M.A., has edited the works of Becon for the Parker Society, and has brought together all that has been transmitted. His 'Biographical Notice' before 'The Early Works' (1843), with its authorities and references, must be the main source of every succeeding biographer and historian. The Religious Tract Society and others still circulate 'Selections' from his works."
Family
He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Godfrey of Winchester. They had three children that survived past infancy. Theodore, his eldest surviving son became a physician in Canterbury. Basil Becon followed his father into the Church and held several livings in Kent. His daughter Rachel married William Beswicke of Horsmanden who served as High Sheriff of Kent in 1616.[12]
References
^Bailey, Derrick Sherwin (1952). Thomas Becon and the Reformation of the Church in England. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. p. 2.
Hanson, Brian L. (2019). Reformation of the Commonwealth : Thomas Becon and the politics of Evangelical change in Tudor England. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht. ISBN9783525554548.