Dictionary.net

An English scholar and prose writer; born at Kirby Wiske, near Northallerton, in 1515; died in London, Dec. 30, 1568. Graduated at Cambridge, and struggled with poverty until patrons came to his relief. He was famous for his general knowledge and acquirements in Greek and Latin, and is classed with Spenser, Sir Thomas More, and Sir Philip Sidney. Though he wrote Latin with ease and elegance at a time when custom favored the use of that language for important works, he urged and practiced the writing of English, and his beautiful style in his own language has given him the name of the "Father of English Prose". In 1548-50 he was tutor of the Princess (afterward Queen) Elizabeth, by whom he was much beloved. His most noted works are: "Toxophilus", a treatise on archery (his favorite exercise), in the form of a dialogue (1545); and "The Schole-master", a treatise on education (1570).