William Cole

Son of Joh. Cole of Adderbury in Oxfordshire Bach. of Div. and sometimes Fellow of New College, was born, and educated in Grammar learning, there, entred a Student in the University in 1642, and soon after was made one of the Portionists commonly called Postmasters of Merton Coll. by his Mothers brother Joh. French one of the senior Fellows of that house, and publick Registrary of the University. When he was standing for the degree of Bach. of Arts, he was made a publick Notary, to the end that he might supply the said place of Registrary when Mr. French was either absent or indisposed. In the latter end of 1650 he took one degree in Arts, his Uncle being then dead, left the University, retired to London, and lived several years at Putney near that City, where he became the most famous Simpler or Herbarist of his time. At length upon the Kings Restoration, in 1660, he was made Secretary to Dr. Duppa Bishop of Winchester, in whose service he died. His works are these.

The Art of Simpling: or, an introduction to the knowledge of gathering of Plants, wherein the definitions, divisions, places, descriptions, &c. are compendiously discoursed of, &c. Lond. 1656. oct.

Perspicillum microcosmologicum: or, a prospective for the discovery of the lesser world, wherein Man is a Compendium, &c.—Printed with the former.

Adam in Eden: or, Natures Paradise. The History of Plants, Herbs, Flowers, with their several original names, &c. Lond. 1657. fol. Into this book, if I am not mistaken, is remitted The Art of Simpl. As for the book intit. The Garden of Eden: or, an accurate description of all flowers, &c. which was printed in 1653, ’twas written by that learned and great Observer Sir Hugh Plat Knight. Our Author Will. Cole died either at Winchester, or at Farnham in Surrey in sixteen hundred sixty and two, aged 36 or thereabouts,1662. but where buried I know not. I find another Will. Cole who published a book int. A Rod for the Lawyers, who are hereby declared to be the grand Robbers and Deceivers of the Nation, &c. Lond. 1659. qu. But of what University he was, if of any at all, I know not.