John Buckeridge

Who was John Buckeridge?

John Buckeridge was an English churchman.

He was a son of William Buckeridge of Basildon, Berkshire, but was born in Wiltshire. He was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood and at St John's College, Oxford, his maternal grandfather being cousin to the founder, Sir Thomas White. He became a fellow of his college, and acted as tutor to William Laud, whose opinions were perhaps shaped by Buckeridge. After Oxford, Buckeridge held several livings, and was highly esteemed by King James I, whose chaplain he became.

In 1605 Buckeridge was elected President of St. John's College, a position which he vacated on being made bishop of Rochester in 1611. He was transferred to the bishopric of Ely in 1628, and died on 23 May 1631.

The bishop won some fame as a theologian and a controversialist. Among his intimate friends was Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, whose Ninety-one Sermons were published by Laud and Buckeridge in 1629.