Thomas Tymme


Thomas Tymme was an English clergyman, translator and author. He combined Puritan views, including the need for capital punishment for adultery, with a positive outlook on alchemy and experimental science.

Life

He seems to have been educated at Cambridge, possibly at Pembroke Hall, under Edmund Grindal. On 22 October 1566 he was presented to the rectory of St. Antholin, Budge Row, London, and in 1575 he became rector of Hasketon, near Woodbridge, Suffolk. He appears to have held the rectory of St. Antholin until 12 October 1592, when Nicholas Felton was appointed his successor.
He secured patronage in high quarters, among those to whom his books were dedicated being Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire, Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, Archbishop Grindal, Sir Edward Coke and Sir John Puckering. He died at Hasketon in April 1620, being buried there on the 29th.
Tymme married, at Hasketon, on 17 July 1615, Mary Hendy, who died in 1657, leaving one son, Thomas Tymme. William Tymme, possibly a brother of Thomas, printed many books between 1601 and 1615.

Works

In 1570 he published his first work, a translation from the Latin of John Brentius, entitled Newes from Niniue to Englande. It was followed in 1574 by the translation of Pierre de La Place supposed history of the civil wars in France, entitled 'The Three Partes of Commentaries containing the whole and perfect Discourse of the Civill Warres of France under the Raignes of Henry the Second, Frances the Second, and of Charles the Ninth' ; prefixed is a long copy of verses in Tymme's praise by Edward Grant.
Tymme produced numerous translations, chiefly of theological works. He published:
Tymme also made a new edition of A Looking-Glasse for the Court, translated by Sir Francis Bryan in 1548 from an original by Antonio de Guevara.