# John Copcot

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English cleric and academic (died 1590)

**John Copcot**, [DD](/source/Doctor_of_Divinity) (died 1590) was an English cleric and academic, becoming [Vice-Chancellor](/source/Vice-Chancellor) of the [University of Cambridge](/source/University_of_Cambridge) and Master of [Corpus Christi College, Cambridge](/source/Corpus_Christi_College%2C_Cambridge).

## Early life and family

Copcot was born in [Calais](/source/Calais), son of Adam Copcott, an English merchant.[1][2] He was admitted as a scholar of [Trinity College, Cambridge](/source/Trinity_College%2C_Cambridge) in 1562, and took his BA in 1566.[1]

## Clerical career

Copcot's clerical career began at Cambridge, and he was licensed as one of the preachers of the university in 1576.[1] Copcot was a defender of the Anglican Church and its hierarchy, particularly against dissenters and [Puritans](/source/Puritan). In the 1580s, he preached in London in favour of the established church.[1][3]

The roles he held within the Church included non-resident rector of [St Dunstan-in-the-East](/source/St_Dunstan-in-the-East) in London from 1580 to 1590 (in which role he sometimes represented the clergy of London in convocation); Prebendary in the church of [Chichester](/source/Chichester) from 1586 to 1590; Rector of [Orwell, Cambridgeshire](/source/Orwell%2C_Cambridgeshire) from 1586 to 1590; and Chaplain to [John Whitgift](/source/John_Whitgift), [Archbishop of Canterbury](/source/Archbishop_of_Canterbury).[1][4]

## Academic career

Copcot became a fellow of Trinity College in 1567 and took his MA in 1570.[3] His specialty was as a critic in Latin and Greek and he had a reputation as a hard-working scholar and proponent of literary studies.[5][6] He was awarded the degree of [Bachelor of Divinity](/source/Bachelor_of_Divinity) in 1577, and of [Doctor of Divinity](/source/Doctor_of_Divinity), the highest of the degrees awarded by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, in 1582.[1]

Copcot was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in 1586, and was the last Vice-Chancellor who was not already head of a college.[5]

His one-year term as Vice-Chancellor was characterised by conflict with radical Puritan interests at Christ College, Cambridge and elsewhere within the university, over which he was in communication with [William Cecil, Baron Burghley](/source/William_Cecil%2C_1st_Baron_Burghley), leading minister of [Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I).[5] As Vice-Chancellor, he took measures to suppress non-conformity; he also came into conflict with authorities representing the town.[1][3]

He succeeded Dr [Robert Norgate](/source/Robert_Norgate_(priest)) as Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge on 6 November 1587, having been recommended by William Cecil.[5] As with his term as Vice-Chancellor, his time in charge of the college was characterised by contention. He remained in the role until his death in early August 1590.[3]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-athenae_1-6) Cooper, C.H.; Cooper, T. (1861). [*Athenae Cantabrigienses volume 2: 1586-1609*](https://books.google.com/books?id=jvg1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA94). Cambridge: Deighton, Bell & Co. pp. 94–95. Retrieved 24 August 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-venn_2-0)** ["Copcot, John (CPCT562J)"](https://venn.lib.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search-2018.pl?sur=&suro=w&fir=&firo=c&cit=&cito=c&c=all&z=all&tex=CPCT562J&sye=&eye=&col=all&maxcount=50). *A Cambridge Alumni Database*. University of Cambridge. *Athenae Cantabrigienses* notes that John’s brother left a bequest to Corpus Christi College; that brother is almost certainly Reynold Copcott (known to be son of Adam Copcott and his wife Elizabeth Lynne) whose will dated 1598 did leave money to both Corpus Christi College and Trinity College.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ODNB_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ODNB_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ODNB_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ODNB_3-3) "Copcot, John". *[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography#Oxford_Dictionary_of_National_Biography)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/ref:odnb/6248](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fref%3Aodnb%2F6248). (Subscription, [Wikipedia Library](https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/partners/88/) access or [UK public library membership](https://www.oxforddnb.com/help/subscribe#public) required.)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CCED_4-0)** ["John Copcott"](http://ccedb.cch.kcl.ac.uk/jsp/persons/CreatePersonFrames.jsp?PersonID=45491). *[Clergy of the Church of England Database 1540-1835](/source/Clergy_of_the_church_of_england_database)*. Retrieved 24 August 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Masters_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Masters_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Masters_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Masters_5-3) Masters, Robert; Lamb, John (1831). [*Masters' History of the College of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary in the University of Cambridge: With Additional Matter and a Continuation to the Present Time by John Lamb*](https://archive.org/details/MastersHistoryOfTheCollegeOfCorpusChristi). Cambridge: John Smith. pp. [136](https://archive.org/details/MastersHistoryOfTheCollegeOfCorpusChristi/page/n156)–143.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fuller_6-0)** Fuller, Thomas (1840). Prickett, Marmaduke; Wright, Thomas (eds.). [*The history of the University of Cambridge, from the Conquest to the year 1634*](https://books.google.com/books?id=aOQGAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA103). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 103. Retrieved 24 August 2014.

## External links

[Cooper, Thompson](/source/Thompson_Cooper) (1887). ["Copcot, John"](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography,_1885-1900/Copcot,_John). In [Stephen, Leslie](/source/Leslie_Stephen) (ed.). *[Dictionary of National Biography](/source/Dictionary_of_National_Biography)*. Vol. 12. London: [Smith, Elder & Co](/source/Smith%2C_Elder_%26_Co).

v t e Masters of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge Thomas de Eltisle Richard Treton John Kynne John de Necton Richard de Billingford John Tytleshall John Botwright Walter Smyth Simon Grene Thomas Cosyn John Edyman Peter Nobys William Sowode Matthew Parker Lawrence Moptyd John Pory Thomas Aldrich Robert Norgate John Copcot John Jegon Thomas Jegon Samuel Walsall Henry Butts Richard Love Peter Gunning Francis Wilford John Spencer William Stanley Thomas Green Samuel Bradford Matthias Mawson Edmund Castle John Green John Barnardiston William Colman Philip Douglas John Lamb James Pulling Edward Perowne Robert Caldwell Edmund Pearce Will Spens George Paget Thomson Frank Godbould Lee Duncan Wilson Michael McCrum Tony Wrigley Haroon Ahmed Alan Wilson Oliver Rackham Stuart Laing. Christopher Kelly

v t e Vice-chancellors of the University of Cambridge 15th century Thomas Ashwell Henry Stockton Nicholas de Swaffham Nicholas Gay William Millington John Roclyffe Thomas Stoyle William Uttyng William Smyth Edmund Conisborough Thomas Stoyle William Towne Thomas Tuppin John Riplingham John Camberton William Rawson William Stockdale John Dolman Henry Rudd John Smith John Smith Henry Babington 16th century John Fisher Humphrey Fitzwilliam Geoffrey Knight John Smith Richard Burton John Eccleston William Robson William Buckenham Thomas Thompson John Fawne John Eccleston Robert Dowsing Edmund Natares John Watson Edmund Natares Thomas Stackhouse John Edmunds Thomas Green Henry Bullock Edmund Natares John Edmunds William Buckmaster John Watson Simon Haynes John Crayford Francis Mallet George Day William Buckmaster John Edmunds Francis Mallet Richard Standish John Edmunds Richard Standish John Edmunds Sir Thomas Smith John Madew Matthew Parker John Madew William Bill Matthew Parker Walter Haddon John Madew Andrew Perne Edward Hawford Edwin Sandys John Young William Glyn Cuthbert Scott Andrew Perne John Pory Robert Brassey Edmund Cosyn Andrew Perne Henry Harvey Philip Baker Francis Newton Edward Hawford Robert Beaumont John Stokes Robert Beaumont Roger Kelke Richard Longworth John Young John May John Whitgift Roger Kelke Thomas Byng John Whitgift Andrew Perne John Still Roger Goad Richard Howland Thomas Byng John Hatcher Andrew Perne William Fulke John Bell Richard Howland Robert Norgate Humphrey Tindall John Copcot Thomas Legge Thomas Nevile Thomas Preston Robert Some Thomas Legge John Still John Duport Roger Goad John Jegon Robert Some John Jegon 17th century John Duport William Smith John Cowell Richard Clayton Samuel Harsnett Roger Goad Thomas Jegon John Duport Fogge Newton Barnabas Gooch (or Goche) Valentine Cary Clement Corbet Samuel Harsnett Owen Gwyn John Hills John Richardson William Branthwaite John Gostlin Robert Scott Samuel Ward Leonard Mawe Jerome Beale Thomas Paske John Mansell John Gostlin Henry Smyth Thomas Bainbridge Matthew Wren Henry Butts Thomas Comber Benjamin Lany Richard Love William Beale Henry Smyth Thomas Comber Ralph Brownrigg John Cosin Richard Holdsworth Ralph Brownrigg Thomas Hill John Arrowsmith Anthony Tuckney Thomas Horton Benjamin Whichcote Samuel Bolton Richard Minshull Lazarus Seaman John Lightfoot Theophilus Dillingham John Worthington John Bond William Dillingham Henry Ferne Henry Ferne Edward Rainbowe William Dillingham James Fleetwood Anthony Sparrow Francis Wilford John Howorth James Fleetwood Edmund Boldero James Duport John Breton Robert Mapletoft William Wells John Spencer Edmund Boldero Isaac Barrow Sir Thomas Page Thomas Holbech Francis Turner John Eachard Humphrey Gower Nathaniel Coga John Copleston Henry James Samuel Blyth William Saywell John Peachell John Balderston John Montagu John Covel James Johnson Charles Roderick Gabriel Quadring George Oxenden William Stanley Thomas Browne John Eachard Henry James Sir William Dawes Thomas Green Richard Bentley 18th century Thomas Richardson Charles Ashton George Bramston Sir John Ellys Bardsey Fisher John Balderston Edward Lany John Covel Charles Roderick Nathaniel Lloyd Gabriel Quadring John Adams Thomas Green Thomas Sherlock Daniel Waterland William Grigg Sir Thomas Gooch Thomas Crosse Andrew Snape William Savage John Davies Joseph Craven Robert Lambert John Frankland Robert Lambert Matthias Mawson Charles Morgan Roger Long William Towers John Adams John Wilcox William Richardson John Whalley Edward Hubbard Sir Edward Simpson William Sedgwick Robert Smith William George Kenrick Prescot George Rooke Edmund Castle Francis Parris Thomas Chapman Edmund Keene John Wilcox Philip Yonge Hugh Thomas Edmund Law John Sumner John Green Lynford Caryl Sir James Burrough George Sandby Robert Plumptre Peter Godard William Elliston John Barnardiston William Samuel Powell John Smith Sir James Marriott John Hinchliffe William Richardson John Sumner James Brown William Cooke Lynford Caryl Hon. Barton Wallop Richard Farmer John Chevallier Hugh Thomas Robert Plumptre William Colman Lowther Yates John Barker Richard Beadon John Torkington Peter Peckard Joseph Turner Sir James Marriott William Elliston Richard Farmer Francis Barnes William Pearce William Craven Thomas Postlethwaite Isaac Milner William Colman Lowther Yates Philip Douglas Richard Fisher Belward Robert Cory Humphrey Sumner William Lort Mansel William Gretton 19th century Joseph Proctor Humphrey Sumner Martin Davy John Torkington Joseph Turner William Pearce Francis Barnes Edward Pearson Isaac Milner Philip Douglas Thomas Browne John Davie Robert Cory William Chafy George Thackeray John Kaye James Wood William Webb George Neville William Frere Christopher Wordsworth William French Henry Godfrey John Lamb Thomas Le Blanc Joseph Proctor Christopher Wordsworth Martin Davy Gilbert Ainslie William Chafy George Thackeray John Graham William Webb Joshua King William French George Archdall Gilbert Ainslie Thomas Worsley William Hodgson Ralph Tatham John Graham George Archdall William Whewell William Hodgson Robert Phelps Ralph Tatham Henry Philpott Robert Phelps Henry Wilkinson Cookson James Cartmell George Corrie Richard Okes James Pulling Thomas Geldart Edwin Guest William Whewell Henry Philpott William Henry Bateson Latimer Neville George Phillips Edward Atkinson Henry Wilkinson Cookson James Cartmell William Hepworth Thompson Edward Atkinson John Power Henry Wilkinson Cookson Samuel Phear Edward Atkinson John Power Edward Perowne James Porter Norman Macleod Ferrers Charles Swainson Charles Taylor Charles Edward Searle Henry Montagu Butler John Peile Augustus Austen Leigh Charles Smith Alexander Hill William Chawner 20th century Adolphus Ward Frederic Chase Edward Beck Ernest Stewart Roberts Arthur James Mason Robert Forsyth Scott Stuart Alexander Donaldson M. R. James Thomas Fitzpatrick Arthur Shipley Peter Giles Edmund Pearce Albert Seward George Weekes Thomas Fitzpatrick Allen Beville Ramsay Will Spens J. F. Cameron Godfrey Wilson Henry Roy Dean Ernest Alfred Benians John Archibald Venn Thomas Hele Henry Thirkill Charles E. Raven Sydney Castle Roberts Sir Lionel Whitby Henry Willink Brian Downs Edgar Adrian Herbert Butterfield Ivor Jennings John Boys Smith Arthur Armitage Eric Ashby Owen Chadwick William Alexander Deer Jack Linnett Rosemary Murray Alan Cottrell Peter Swinnerton-Dyer Harry Hinsley John Butterfield Richard Adrian, 2nd Baron Adrian Michael McCrum Full-time Sir David Williams Sir Alec Broers Dame Alison Richard Sir Leszek Borysiewicz Stephen Toope Deborah Prentice

Academic offices Preceded by Humphrey Tyndall Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge 1586-1587 Succeeded by Thomas Legge Preceded by Robert Norgate Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge 1587-1590 Succeeded by John Jegon

Authority control databases International VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Other IdRef

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Copcot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Copcot) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Copcot?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.