, a gentleman of eminent learning in the reign of king Henry Vlil.
, a gentleman of eminent learning in the reign of king Henry Vlil. and author of several
works, was son of sir Richard Eiyot, of the county of
Suffolk, and educated in academical learning at St. Mary’s
hall in Oxford, where he made a considerable progress in
logic and philosophy. After some time spent at the university, he travelled into foreign countries, and upon his
return was introduced to the court of kiiag Henry, who,
being a great patron of learned men, conferred on him the
honour of knighthood, and employed him in several embassies, particularly to Rome in 1532, about the affair of
the divorce of queen Catharine, and afterwards, about
1536, to the emperor Charles V. Sir Thomas was an excellent grammarian, rhetorician, philosopher, physician,
cosmographer, and historian; and no less distinguished
for his candour, and the innocence and integrity of his life.
He was courted and celebrated by all the learned men of
his time, particularly the famous antiquary Leland, who
addressed a copy of Latin verses to him in his “Encomia
illustrium virorum.
” A similitude of manners, and sameness of studies, recommended him to the intimacy and
friendship of sir Thomas More. He died in 1546, and
was buried the 25th of March, in the church of Carleton,
in Cambridgeshire, of which county he had been sheriff.
His widow afterwards was married to sir James Dyer.