John Rainolds

John RAINOLDS 1549-1607

Biographical Note

Son of Richard Rainolds, farmer, of Pinhoe, Devon. His uncle Thomas Rainolds held various University of Oxford appointments, including Warden of Merton College and vice-chancellor. Matriculated at Oriel College in 1557, but left Oxford and probably returned in 1562 to Merton College, recorded as discipulus at Corpus Christi College in 1563, BA 1568, MA 1572. Leading Puritan in 1570s and 80s in Oxford, BTh 1580, DTh 1585, during which time he gave lectures and wrote many treatises; he was also involved in various theological controversies. He was elected President of Corpus Christi College in 1598, a post he held until his death in 1607. During his last years he proposed the idea of a new translation of the Bible and was instrumental in the work which would result in the King James Bible.

Books

Rainolds had amassed a library of at least 2,500 books over his lifetime. He had given some to Corpus Christi College during his presidency, but he stipulated in his will that the college was to have “an hundred books of such as are not there alredy, or not of the same editions: to be chosen by the Vice-President, with the advise of the Deans of Readers”. There is a list of these in the papers of Anthony a Wood (MS. Wood D.10, Bodleian Library) written by Henry Jackson, rector of Hampton-Meysey which records more than 1,600 volumes. Most of the books chosen by the College are still in the library. His executor, Henry Hindley, assigned a further 50 books to Corpus, in addition to those already bequeathed in Rainolds' will. Rainolds also gave books to the Bodleian and other Oxford colleges, namely Queens, Merton, New, University, and Oriel, as well as to friends and family. The remainder was to be divided “among scholars of our University such as for religion, honesty, studiousness, and towardness in learning (want of means and ability to furnish themselves being withal considered) they shall think meetest.” He also wrote a clause directing what should happen to more controversial titles: “Moreover, for my Popish, and other, either traitorous or hereticall bookes, Sanders, Allen, Stapleton, Evangelium regni H.N. &c. in whatsoever languages, I hartily request D. Airay and Mr. Hindle, they may by their religious care be disposed of, as poysons in wise apothecaries shoppes: whither in publike libaries, for which some of them may be fitt; or on private students, who may best use them to the glory of God, and his churches benefit.” Examples: many at Corpus Christi College and several other Oxford colleges.

Characteristic Markings

Rainolds does not appear to have routinely marked his books. All the books at Corpus Christi College have a manuscript college inscription.

Sources

• Corpus Christi College, Oxford, MS 352, Will of John Rainolds
• Bodleian Library, Oxford, MS Wood D.10, list of Rainolds’ books written by Henry Jackson
• Liddell, Robert, The library of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 1517-1617, [thesis] 1933.
• Feingold, Mordechai. "Rainolds, John (1549–1607), theologian and college head." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.