Edward Corbet ca.1601-1658

Edward CORBET ca. 1601–1658

Biographical Note

Edward Corbet (or Corbett) was born in Pontesbury (Shropshire). Matriculated at Merton College, Oxford in 1621, BA 1622, fellow 1624, MA 1628. He later became sub-warden under Sir Nathaniel Brent. He supported Brent in opposition to Archbishop Laud and gave evidence at his trial. In 1642 he was chosen as a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines.

Following his return to Oxford Corbet proceeded DD in 1648 and was presented to the valuable rectory of Great Hasely, near Oxford. In 1649 he married Nathaniel Brent's daughter, Margaret. Corbet died in early 1658 and was buried at Great Hasely.

Books

His father-in-law Nathaniel Brent left him the greater part of his library. Corbet's will makes three gifts of books but makes no mention of the remainder: ‘I give to the Warden and fellowes of Merton Colledge the Workes of Cuiacius in fouer or five volumes and I give to the publique Library of the Universitie of Oxford Bishop Robert Abbots Com[m]entaries on the Romans in Fouer volumes in manuscript and I give to the Schoole lybrary in Shrewsbury Bedes works in fouer volumes Peter Martyrs works Cornelius a Lapide his works.’

Sources

• Bell, Mark Robert. "Corbet, Edward (1601x3–1658), Church of England clergyman." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
• Will of Edward Corbet. The National Archives.