Leonard Pilkington (1527–1599) was an English academic and clergyman. AMarian exile, he becameRegius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge and Master ofSt John's College, Cambridge at the start of the reign ofElizabeth I. In his subsequent church career, he followed the way opened when his brotherJames Pilkington becameBishop of Durham.
He was born atRivington,Lancashire, and graduated B.A. at St John's College in 1544. He became a Fellow there in 1546, and graduated M.A. in 1547. WhenMary I of England came to the throne, he was deprived of his college positions, and left the country. While in exile he married.[1][2]
He returned to England and was restored to his fellowship at St John's, his wife having died. He became Master there in 1561, replacing his brother James and initiating a period of divisive governance and an effort to reform the college by replacing Catholic associations with the Protestantism of Geneva. He brought inWilliam Fulke as Fellow, and ensured the succession ofRichard Longworth, and then resigned as Master. He became a canon ofDurham Cathedral in 1567.[2][3][4]
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge 1561–1562 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Master of St John's College, Cambridge 1561–1564 | Succeeded by |