Beaumont, Robert ( - 1567-06-06)

Robert Beaumont of Netherton, West Yorkshire was educated at Westminster School before being admitted to Gray’s Inn in 1541. He graduated B.A. from Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1543/4 and proceeded M.A. in 1550; he was also elected fellow of the college in 1550 and was bursar from 1550-1552. Exiled to the Continent under the reign of Mary I, Beaumont had arrived in Zurich by 1554 and moved to Geneva in 1556. Upon Elizabeth’s accession Beaumont returned to England and took up the position of Lady Margaret professor of Divinity at Cambridge in 1559. He was ordained priest in 1560 and was made archdeacon of Huntingdon the same year. Beaumont resigned his professorship upon being appointed master of Trinity College in 1561. In 1564 he was named D.Th. and was collated to the canonry at Ely. He served as vice-chancellor of Cambridge from 1564-5 and 1566-7. Beaumont was a supporter of efforts to abolish baptizing the laity, the sign of the cross in baptism, saints’ days, copes and surplices, etc. He was involved in the vestments controversy, accepting the prescribed dress despite his reservations. He died on 6 June 1567.