Simpson, John (1615-04-25 - 1662-06-27)

John Simpson was baptised on 25 April 1615 at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, the son of a gentleman, Fabian Sympson. He matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford on 2 December 1631, aged sixteen. He graduated B.A. on 30 April 1635 and proceeded M.A. on 18 January 1638. From 1642, he held lectureships at St Dunstan's and St Botolph's, Aldgate. Simpson became pastor of All Hallows-the-Great, London, in 1647. He was invited to preach to the Commons on 13 March 1651 at the suggestion of Major-General Thomas Harrison; his sermon, which championed lay preaching by soldiers, caused an uproar in the House. He became a leader of the Fifth Monarchists in December 1651. Simpson died in 1662, and was buried on 27 June. For more information about the Fifth Monarchists, see B. S. Capp, The Fifth Monarchy Men: A Study in Seventeenth-Century English Millenarianism (London: Faber and Faber, 1972).