Edmund Campion
Edmund Campion was a notable figure born in London in 1540, recognized for his exceptional scholarly achievements early in life. He received his education at Christ's Hospital and later at Oxford University, where he became a fellow of St. John's College. Initially, he was part of the Anglican Church and even served as a deacon, but his growing sympathy for Catholicism prompted him to leave Oxford and seek opportunities in Ireland. After experiencing difficulties, including arrest orders due to his views on the Church of England, Campion fled to France, where he fully embraced Catholicism and joined the Jesuit order.
In 1580, Campion returned to England as a Jesuit missionary, where he ministered to Catholics while evading authorities. His publication, "Decem rationes," which criticized the Anglican Church, drew significant attention and controversy. However, he was eventually captured, tortured, and interrogated for his beliefs, refusing to renounce his faith even under duress. Campion was executed on December 1, 1581, and is remembered as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church, reflecting his profound commitment to his faith in the face of persecution.
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Edmund Campion
Jesuit Priest
- Born: January 25, 1540
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: December 1, 1581
- Place of death: Tyburn, England
Biography
Edmund Campion was born in London in 1540. He received his primary education at Christ’s Hospital. An exemplary scholar, at age thirteen he was selected to make a speech for Queen Mary when she visited London in 1553. Campion later attended Oxford University, becoming a fellow of St. John’s College in 1557, and completing his studies seven years later. When Queen Elizabeth I visited Oxford in 1566, Campion was selected to lead a debate for the queen’s entertainment. Well known for his oratory skills, Campion immediately became a favorite of Queen Elizabeth.
Campion became a deacon of the Anglican Church amidst rumors that he was a favorite to be named Archbishop of Canterbury. However, he was unhappy in this position and sympathetic to the Catholic Church. In order to remove himself from the church, Campion left Oxford in 1569, traveling to Dublin, Ireland, where he hoped to take part in restoring the University of Dublin. Shortly after his arrival, orders were given for his arrest, based on his disparagement of the Church of England. Campion went into hiding, relying on his friends for support; during this period, he wrote a history of Ireland.
Campion eventually fled to Douai, France, where he fully reconciled with the Catholic Church and was ordained a deacon. Campion then traveled to Rome, where he joined the Jesuit order as a priest in 1573. In 1580, Campion returned to England, gaining entry by posing as a jewel merchant, to serve as a Jesuit missionary. Campion began openly preaching and soon became well known to the authorities. He spent this period of his life constantly on the run while ministering to English Catholics. It was during this time that Campion wrote Decem rationes, an argument against the Anglican Church which caused an enormous scandal upon its release in 1581.
Captured by a spy less than a month after Decem rationes began circulating, Campion was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Interrogated by Queen Elizabeth herself, Campion refused her offers of clemency. During his imprisonment, Campion was twice tortured on the rack in an effort to force him to renounce his faith. Tortured again in October, 1581, to no avail, Campion was indicted the next month of conspiring to dethrone the queen. He was executed on December 1, 1581. After his death, the Catholic Church declared him a saint and a martyr.