John Foxe

John Foxe 1516-87, English clergyman, author of the noted Book of Martyrs. He early became a Protestant and, when Mary Tudor became queen, he fled from England to Strasbourg. There was printed (1554), in Latin, the first part of his history of the persecution of Protestant reformers. Foxe moved to Basel and had published (1559) the first complete edition, in Latin, of his history. After Elizabeth's accession, an expanded English edition appeared (1563) entitled The Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perilous Dayes. The work was commonly known as the Book of Martyrs, and its chief purpose was to praise the heroism and piety of the Protestant martyrs of Mary's reign. The book was widely read, and its influence was extensive, although as history it is highly prejudiced and not altogether trustworthy.

Bibliography: See J. F. Mozley, John Foxe and His Book (1940).

Foxe, John (1516–87), martyrologist. On Mary's accession, Foxe fled to the Continent. He wrote a history of the Christian persecutions, first issued in Latin at Strasbourg in 1554. An expanded English version appeared in 1563 as the Acts and Monuments of matters happening in the Church, commonly known as ‘Foxe's Book of Martyrs’. Its main object was to extol the heroism of the Protestant martyrs of Mary's reign. It retains major historical value, despite the obvious bias of Foxe's commentary.

Foxe, John (1516–87). Author of ‘Foxe's book of martyrs’. Foxe wrote the book, Acts and Monuments of matters happening in the Church, while in exile in Europe during the reign of Queen Mary. Its chief purpose was to draw attention to the sufferings and endurance of the Protestant martyrs of Mary's reign.