John Gostlin (or Gostlyn; – 21 October 1626) was an English academic and physician, Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge from 1619 and Regius Professor of Physic.

Life

He was born in Norwich in or about 1566, the son of Robert Gostlin of that city. Educated at Norwich School for six years, he was admitted at Caius College, 22 November 1582, as a scholar. He graduated B.A. 1586–7, M.A. 1590, M.D. 1602 (incorporated M.D. at Oxford, 1612). He was elected to a fellowship about Easter 1591–2, which he retained until he became Master, 26 February 1619. On the death of Thomas Legge, Master of Caius (12 July 1607), there was an election favouring Gostlin; but when there was a dispute

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, then Chancellor of the university, vacated the election and appointed

William Branthwaite William Branthwaite (1563–1619) was an English scholar and translator. The son of John Branthwaite, William Branthwaite was baptised at St Peter Mancroft, Norwich on 13 June 1563. Branthwaite entered Clare Hall, Cambridge in 1579, graduating ...

, then a Fellow of Emmanuel College. Gostlin then retired to

Exeter Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal comm ...

, where he practised medicine, and was returned as Member of Parliament for

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in 1614. After Branthwaite's death in January 1619, the fellows immediately met and chose Gostlin. The king's letter was brought soon after, recommending a theologian, but the fellowship had their way. In 1623 he was appointed Regius Professor of Physic, to which he was recommended by Isaac Barrow. He was twice vice-chancellor of the university, dying during his second tenure of the office, 21 October 1626. There is an account of his death in

Joseph Mead Joseph Mede (1586 in Berden – 1639) was an English scholar with a wide range of interests. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow from 1613. He is now remembered as a biblical scholar. He was also a naturalist ...

's ''Letters'' ( British Library Harley MS 390); it also was the occasion for an early poem of

John Milton John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet and intellectual. His 1667 epic poem '' Paradise Lost'', written in blank verse and including over ten chapters, was written in a time of immense religious flux and political ...

. His will is dated 19 October 1626, and was proved 6 December 1626. He was buried in the college chapel, where there is a monument to him. He does not appear to have published any works. He was a benefactor to Gonville and Caius, where he is specially commemorated, and

St Catharine's College, Cambridge St Catharine's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473 as Katharine Hall, it adopted its current name in 1860. The college is nicknamed "Catz". The college is located in the historic city-centre of Camb ...

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gostlin, John 1560s births 1626 deaths Masters of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge 16th-century English medical doctors 17th-century English medical doctors English MPs 1614 People educated at Norwich School Alumni of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge Academics from Norwich 16th-century English educators 17th-century English educators Vice-Chancellors of the University of Cambridge Regius Professors of Physic (Cambridge) Fellows of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge Members of the Parliament of England (pre-1707) for Barnstaple Medical doctors from Norwich