Sackville, Thomas (1536-03-25 - 1609-04-19)

Thomas Sackville was born c. 1536. He was admitted to the Inner Temple in November 1554. In January 1558, he was elected to the House of Commons for Westmorland and for East Grinstead, sitting for the latter in 1559. He was subsequently a JP in Kent and Sussex. Sackville was also a poet; the tragedy Gorboduc, which featured poetry attributed to Sackville, was first performed at the Temple's Christmas revels in 1561-62. On 8 June 1567, Sackville was knighted and elevated to the Peerage, becoming Baron Buckhurst. He was appointed Lord Treasurer on 15 May 1599, and on 13 March 1604, he was created Earl of Dorset. The Earl died on 19 April 1608; the funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey over a month later. His funeral sermon was preached by George Abbot, and he was buried at Withyham, Sussex.