Bois was born in Nettlestead, Suffolk, England, His father was William Bois, a graduate of Michaelhouse, Cambridge and a Protestant converted by Martin Bucer, who was vicar of Elmsett and West Stow. His mother was Mirable Poolye. His father took great care about his education, and already at the age of five years John could read the Bible in Hebrew.
He should not be confused with John Boys, Dean of Canterbury from 1619 to 1625. He was sent to school at Hadleigh, then went to Street John"s College, Cambridge, in 1575 when he was 15 years old. He was taught by Henry Copinger, and soon was proficient in Greek.
He intended medicine as a profession, but its study brought on hypochondria.
In 1580 Bois was elected Fellow of his College, while suffering from smallpox. Foreign ten years, he was Greek lecturer in his college.
Serious financial troubles followed, and he had to sell his library. His scholarly reputation brought him tasks, but they were poorly rewarded.
In 1609 he succeeded John Duport as prebendary of Ely while also serving as rector of Boxworth.
He spent the last years of his life there. He was eighty-three when he died in Ely.
