Background
He was born in the parish of Saint Gregory, near Saint Paul"s Cathedral, London.
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Henry Birkhead
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Trinity College.
Career
Having been educated in grammar learning by Thomas Farnabie, he became a commoner of Trinity College, Oxford, in Midsummer term 1633, and was admitted scholar on 28 May 1635. In 1638, by the influence of Archbishop William Laud, he was elected fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, being by then bachelor of arts After taking his master"s degree (5 June 1641), he devoted himself to the study of law.
In May 1643 he submitted to the authority of the visitors appointed by parliament.
In 1653 he was allowed by the delegates of the university to propose a dispensation in convocation for taking the degree of doctor of physic by accumulation, provided that he should perform the necessary exercises. But it is uncertain whether he took the degree.
He resigned his fellowship in 1657, and at the Restoration became registrar of the diocese of Norwich, an office which he continued to hold until 1681. He also had a chamber in the Middle Temple, where he frequently resided.
He died on Michaelmas Eve, 1696, and was buried at Saint Margaret"s Church, Westminster.
The professorship of poetry at Oxford was founded in 1708 from funds bequeathed by Birkhead.
