Hannah Wood
ODNB; ACAD (Venn)
Thomas Lever (Leaver), born in Little Lever (Lancs.). Received his BA from St. John's College, Cambridge in 1541–2, became a fellow in 1543, proceeded MA in 1545, became senior fellow and college preacher in 1548, was made master in 1551, and graduated BTh in 1552. Known as a dynamic reforming preacher, Lever preached three times at St. Paul's Cross in 1550 against the corruption of the government, hypocrisy of the church, and exploitation of the poor by the rich; these sermons were published in three editions by the end of 1551. Having supported Lady Jane Grey's claim to the throne, Leaver fled to the Continent in September 1553 with Mary's ascension to the throne. Lever resided in Geneva until 1555, and settled in Aarau in 1557 after brief stays in Frankfurt and Strasbourg. Upon Elizabeth's succession, Lever returned from exile in 1559; the same year he was appointed minister of St. John's, Bablake, Coventry and archdeacon of Coventry. He was made master of Sherburn Hospital, Durham in 1563. Lever's radical reforming tendencies were evident in his writings and sermons, both of which were monitored closely after the northern uprising of 1569-79. Lever died in early July 1577 and was buried in the chancel of the chapel of Sherburn Hospital.