John Wagstaffe


John Wagstaffe was an English writer on witchcraft.

Life

Wagstaffe, born in Cheapside in 1633, was the son of John Wagstaffe of London. He was educated at St. Paul's School, and was Pauline exhibitioner from 1649 to 1658. He matriculated from Oriel College, Oxford, on 22 Nov 1650, proceeded B.A. on 18 Oct 1653, and M.A. on 9 July 1656. He was incorporated at Cambridge University in 1668. On the death of his uncle he succeeded to his estate at Hasland in Derbyshire. Anthony Wood says that after taking his degrees he "applied himself to the study of politics and learning". He wrote little, and injured his health by the "continued bibbing of strong and high-tasted liquors".
Wagstaffe died "in a manner distracted" at his lodgings in Holborn, opposite Chancery Lane, on 2 September 1677, and was buried in Guildhall Chapel. He was unmarried. Letters of administration were granted to his aunt, Judith How, on 4 September 1677.

Writings

Wagstaffe published:
He also contributed a Greek poem to Britannia Rediviva, Oxford, 1660.