Richard Edes | |
|---|---|
 Early 19th century engraving of an earlier portrait | |
| Born | 1555 (1555) |
| Died | 1604(1604-00-00) (aged 48–49) Worcester |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Spouse | Margaret Westphalian |
Richard Edes (orEedes) (1555–1604) was an English churchman. He becameDean of Worcester, and was nominated one of the translators for theAuthorised King James Version, in the Second Oxford Company, but died in the earliest stages of the project.
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He was born probably inBedfordshire, was educated atWestminster School, and was elected student ofChrist Church, Oxford in 1571. There he proceeded B.A. 17 December 1574, and M.A. 2 May 1578. Taking orders he was a noted preacher. He was elected university proctor 10 April 1583, proceeded B.D. 6 July 1584, and D.D. 6 July 1590.
In favour at court, he had rapid preferment, withprebends at Salisbury (1584), Christ Church (1586), and Hereford (1590). He was made treasurer ofHereford Cathedral and chaplain to the Queen in 1596. On 19 June 1597 he became Dean of Worcester. He was presented to the rectory ofUpton-upon-Severn,Worcestershire, 21 December 1598.
King James I, whose chaplain he became, appointed him one of the 54 translators who were to create theKing James Version of the Bible. He was one of those divines who assembled at Oxford; but he did not live to see the undertaking, dying at Worcester 19 November 1604. He was buried in the chapel at the east end of the cathedral choir. His widow, Margaret, a daughter ofHerbert Westfaling, Bishop of Hereford, erected a monument with a punning epitaph.
He was the reputed author ofJulius Caesar (Caesar Interfectus), a Latin tragedy acted at Christ Church in 1582, which has been lost apart from a possible epilogue.[1] A journey north with his friendToby Mathew prompted Latin verse, entitledIter Boreale. Edes also left various other Latin and English poems, scattered through several manuscript collections of the poetry of his day, andWilliam Gager addressed verse to him. Of his published worksAnthony Wood mentions 'Six Learned and Godly Sermons,' London, 1604, and 'Three Sermons,' London, 1627.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: "Edes, Richard".Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.