William Turner

Background

William Turner was born at Morpeth in Northumberland, England in 1508.

Education

He was educated at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, where he was elected junior fellow in 1530.

Career

He learnt Greek from Nicholas Ridley, and, hearing Hugh Latimer preach, threw in his lot with the new faith.

In 1538 he published his Libellus de re herbaria, and in 1540 set out to preach in different places.

On the accession of Edward VI he became chaplain and physician to the duke of Somerset and in 1550 prebendary of York.

He passed his last days in Crutched Friars, London, and died on the 7th of July 1568.

Turner was a sound and keen botanist, and introduced lucerne into England.

Achievements

• He was an early herbalist and ornithologist, and it is in these fields that the most interest lies today.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Seconde Part of Vuilliam Turners Herball Wherein Are Conteyned the Names of Herbes in Greke, Latin, Duche, Frenche, and in the Apothecaries Latin, and Somtyme in Italiane Set Furth by William Turner Doctor of Physik. (1562) (Paperback) - Common

    (EARLY HISTORY OF MEDICINE, HEALTH & DISEASE. Imagine hold...)

Religion

Returning to England in 1558 he regained his deanery, and did all he could to disparage episcopacy and ceremonial, and to bring the Anglican Church into conformity with the Reformed Churches of Germany and Switzerland.