Richard Master
Encyclopedia
Dr. Richard Master was a leading 16th-century English physician and personal doctor of Queen Elizabeth.
, eventually graduating with a B.A. in 1533 and an M.A. in 1537. He was a personal acquaintance of Rudolph Walther and in 1539 accepted a benefice
from the Church of England
, however, he forfeited it believing he was not a good clergyman.
to study medicine, and by 1545 was an admitted M.B. and granted a license to practice medicine. In 1553 he became a fellow at the College of Physicians
and served as a censor between 1556–1558 and in 1560. In 1561 he served as President of the college, and as consiliarius in 1564 and 1583.
of York, and in 1565 issued a royal patent for his family and heirs from the Queen receiving the Cirencester Abbey
.
Richard died in 1588.
Early life
Master was the son of Robert Master. He became a fellow at All Souls' College in OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, eventually graduating with a B.A. in 1533 and an M.A. in 1537. He was a personal acquaintance of Rudolph Walther and in 1539 accepted a benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
from the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, however, he forfeited it believing he was not a good clergyman.
Medical career
Richard enrolled at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
to study medicine, and by 1545 was an admitted M.B. and granted a license to practice medicine. In 1553 he became a fellow at the College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
and served as a censor between 1556–1558 and in 1560. In 1561 he served as President of the college, and as consiliarius in 1564 and 1583.
Queen Elizabeth
In 1559, Master was granted a patent of £100 annually to serve as the personal physician to Queen Elizabeth.Prebendary of York
In 1562, he was made PrebendaryPrebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of York, and in 1565 issued a royal patent for his family and heirs from the Queen receiving the Cirencester Abbey
Cirencester Abbey
Cirencester Abbey in Gloucestershire was founded as an Augustinian monastery in 1117 on the site of an earlier church, the oldest-known Saxon church in England, which had itself been built on the site of a Roman structure. The church was greatly enlarged in the 14th century with addition of an...
.
Marriage and family
Richard married Elizabeth, daughter of John Fulnetby, Esq. and had seven sons, including:- George, M.P. for Cirencester in 1586, 1588
- Thomas, Archdeacon of Salop
- Robert, Chancellor of Rochester and Lichfield; M.P. for Crickdale in 1601
- Henry, Principal of Alban Hall
Richard died in 1588.