Thomas Browne

Thomas Browne, Head Master of Westminster School from 1564-1570, was buried in the north transept of Westminster Abbey. William Camden in his guide to the Abbey published in 1600 records the following inscription on his gravestone (now worn away), translated from the Latin:

Here lies Thomas Browne, bachelor of divinity, Sub Dean of this Collegiate Church, a man of singular piety, erudition and integrity, who fell asleep in the Lord 2 May 1585

He was born about 1535 and educated at Eton and Cambridge. After ordination he was rector at Dunton Waylett in Essex and from 1567-1574 of St Leonard, Foster Lane in London. In 1566 he was made a prebendary of Westminster and was rector of Chelsea from 1574. He was author of Thebais, a tragedy and several occasional poems.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography