Thomas Alleyne (c.1488–1558) was an English priest of the sixteenth century. He is remembered for founding schools. Details of his early life are lacking, although he appears to have had roots in Staffordshire where he later endowed two schools. The

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography The ''Dictionary of National Biography'' (''DNB'') is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published since 1885. The updated ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' (''ODNB'') was published on 23 September ...

states that he was probably born in Sudbury (on the border between Staffordshire and Derbyshire). He was possibly educated at Cambridge. By 1526 Alleyne became

rector Rector (Latin for the member of a vessel's crew who steers) may refer to: Style or title *Rector (ecclesiastical), a cleric who functions as an administrative leader in some Christian denominations *Rector (academia), a senior official in an edu ...

of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. He was buried in St Nicholas' Church, Stevenage, although no memorial survives there.

Legacy

In 1547 Thomas Alleyne received a legacy from his brother Ralph, who was interested in supporting charitable work. Ralph was a businessman who served as

Sheriff of the City of London Two sheriffs are elected annually for the City of London by the Liverymen of the City livery companies. Today's sheriffs have only nominal duties, but the historical officeholders had important judicial responsibilities. They have attended the ju ...

. Thomas Alleyne may have supported schools during his lifetime, but what is known for certain is that three schools were endowed under the terms of his will. They are: *

The Thomas Alleyne Academy The Thomas Alleyne Academy is an Academy in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 2013, but can trace its roots back to 1558, when the original school was set up from the will of Thomas Alleyne. It is situated at the northe ...

, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, *

Alleyne's Academy Alleyne's Academy (formerly Alleyne's High School) is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status. It is located in Stone, Staffordshire, England, and is one of three schools founded in 1558 by Thomas Alleyne. History ...

Stone, Staffordshire Stone is a canal town and civil parish in Staffordshire, England, north of Stafford, south of Stoke-on-Trent and north of Rugeley. It was an urban district council and a rural district council before becoming part of the Borough of Staffor ...

Thomas Alleyne's High School Thomas Alleyne's High School (TAHS) is a coeducational upper school and sixth form located in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. It is one of three schools founded in 1558 from the will of Thomas Alleyne. It has four different coloured houses: ...

Uttoxeter Uttoxeter ( , ) is a market town in the East Staffordshire district in the county of Staffordshire, England. It is near to the Derbyshire county border. It is situated from Burton upon Trent, from Stafford, from Stoke-on-Trent, from De ...

, Staffordshire. Alleyne created statutes for the schools and left property to

Trinity College, Cambridge Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, Trinity is one of the largest Cambridge colleges, with the largest financial endowment of any college at either Cambridge or Oxford. ...

in order to support them. They remained under the governorship of Trinity College until the twentieth century when they were drawn into the state system of education.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alleyne, Thomas Founders of English schools and colleges People from Uttoxeter 1558 deaths Burials in Hertfordshire Year of birth unknown 16th-century English clergy People from Sudbury, Derbyshire People from Stevenage Year of birth uncertain