Maurice, Henry (1647-03-25 - 1691-10-30)

Henry Maurice, son of Thomas Maurice, perpetual curate of Llangristiolus, was born around 1647 and received his early education at Beaumaris grammar school. He matriculated from Jesus College, Oxford in 1664 and graduated B.A. in 1668; he proceeded M.A. in 1671, B.D. in 1679, and D.D. in 1683. He was made a fellow and shortly after became curate of Cheltenham in 1669. He served as chaplain to Sir Leoline Jenkins, accompanying his to the congress of Cologne in 1673 and treaty negotiations in Nijmegen between 1679-1679. Maurice was appointed domestic chaplain to William Sancroft in 1680, a post he held until 1691. During this time he published extensively against nonconformism and religious tolerance. He became treasurer of Chichester in 1681 and rector of Chevening, Kent in 1681; in 1685 he gave up Chevening for the rectory of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos and the rectory of Newington. He wrote in favour of taking the oaths of allegiance to William and Mary, and his commitment to the Williamite cause helped advance his career: he was elected Lady Margaret professor of divinity in 1691 and was installed in the prebend of Worcester the same year. Maurice died suddenly, likely of a heart attack, at the age of forty-four on 30 October 1691. He was unmarried and donated his library to Jesus College. He was buried in the chancel of the church at Newington.