William Alabaster
William Alabaster was an English theologian and writer born on January 27, 1568, in Hadleigh, Suffolk. He received his early education at Westminster School before attending Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied theology and wrote a Latin tragedy, *Roxana tragœdia*, which was recited in 1592 and printed years later in 1632. Alabaster's life took a significant turn during a 1596 expedition to Cadiz, where he converted to Catholicism. His faith journey led him to Rome, where he faced imprisonment by the Inquisition but managed to escape and return to England. Following a brief reimprisonment in 1598 due to his conversion, Alabaster reconverted to Anglicanism and later became chaplain to King James I. In 1614, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree at Cambridge. He served as a pastor in Little Shelford, where he married Catherine Fludd. Alabaster is best known for his theological writings and metaphysical devotional poems, many of which were published posthumously after his death in 1640. His works significantly contributed to the theological discourse of his time.
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William Alabaster
Poet
- Born: January 27, 1568
- Birthplace: Hadleigh, Suffolk, England
- Died: April 28, 1640
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
William Alabaster was born at Hadleigh, Suffolk, England, on January 27, 1568. He received his early education at Westmister School. In 1584, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied theology. During his time at Cambridge, William Alabaster wrote a tragedy, Roxana trag{aeligmacr}dia, in Latin. The tragedy was recited at Trinity College in 1592 and was printed in 1632.
In 1596, Alabaster served as chaplain for an expedition to Cadiz conducted by the Earl of Essex. During this trip to Spain, he converted to Catholicism. While visiting Rome, he was imprisoned by the Inquisition, but later escaped and returned to England. On the way to England in 1598, Alabaster was briefly imprisoned for his conversion. After his release from prison, he reconverted to Anglicanism and served as chaplain to King James I. In 1614, Alabaster was given a doctor of divinity at Cambridge by royal decree. He later served as pastor at the parish of Little Shelford, Cambridge. While serving at Little Shelford, he married Catherine Fludd. Alabaster is most remembered for his theological writings, such as Spiraculum tubarum sive fons spiritualium expositionum ex {aeligmacr}quivocis pentaglotti significationibus. He also wrote apocalyptic theological writings and metaphysical devotional poems. Most of these poems were not published until after his death in 1640.