Richard Brett

, Son of Rob. Brett of Whitstanton in Somersetshire, was born of gentile Parents at London, as the Publick Matricula (d)(d) Reg. Matric. P. p. 555. of the University saith, entred a Commoner of Hart hall in Lent-Term, an. 1582. took one degree in Arts, and then was elected Fellow of Lincoln coll. where, by the benefit of a good Tutor, and by unwearied industry, he became eminent in the tongues, divinity and other learning. In 1595. or thereabouts, he was, made Rector of Quainton near to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, was admitted Bac. of Div. in 1597, appointed one of the Translators of the Bible into English by King Jam. 1. in 1604, proceeded in Divinity the year after, and at length was made one of the first Fellows of Chelsey college, founded by Dr. Math. Sutliff, about 1616. He was a person famous in his time for learning as well as piety, skill’d and vers’d to a criticism in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaick, Arabick, and Aethiopick tongues. He was a most vigilant Pastor, a diligent Preacher of Gods word, a liberal Benefactor to the poor, a faithful Friend, and a good Neighbour. What his writings are I know not, his translations I am sure from Greek into Latin are these. (1) Vitae Sanctorum Evangelist. Johannis & Lucae a Symeone Metaphraste concinnatae. Oxon. 1597. oct. (2) Agatharchidis & Memnonis Historicorum quae supersunt omnia. Oxon. 1597. oct. He also published, Iconum Sacrarum decas, in quâ é subjectis Typis compluscula sanae doctrinae capita eruuntur. Oxon. 1603. qu. He yielded to nature on the 15. 1637 of Apr. in sixteen hundred thirty and seven, aged 70. and was buried in the Chancel of his Church at Quainton before-mentioned. Over his grave was soon after a fair monument set up in the wall by his Widdow, with the Effigies of the Doctor, his said Widdow, and four Children, all kneeling, with a Lat. and English epitaph underneath. The Latin epitaph is too large to obtain a place here, and the English (contained in four verses) being trite and bald, I shall now pass by. This learned Doctor left behind him four Daughters, begotten on the body of his Wife Alice, Daughter of Rich. Brown sometimes Mayor of the City of Oxon, viz. (1) Elizab. who was married to Will. Sparke Rector of Bletchley, whom I have remembred among these writers, under the year 1630. (2) Anne the Wife of Hump. Chambers another Divine. (3) Margaret the Wife of Dr. Calibute Downing: which two last, (Chambers and Downing) shall be remembred in their respective places as writers, and the fourth named Mary, to Tho. Goodwin of Epwell in Oxfordsh.