Roger Ascham

Date of Birth: 1515

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: December 30, 1568

Biography

Roger Ascham was an English scholar and didactic writer, renowned for his works on education and rhetoric. Born in 1515 in Kirby Wiske, Yorkshire, Ascham was educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he later became a fellow. By 1548, he was appointed tutor to Princess Elizabeth, who would later become Queen Elizabeth I. His most influential work, *The Scholemaster*, published posthumously in 1570, outlines his views on education and the teaching of Latin. Ascham served as a Latin secretary to Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, balancing his scholarly pursuits with his duties at the royal court. His writing style was noted for its clarity and precision, earning him a distinguished place in the annals of English literature.

5 Interesting Facts about Roger Ascham

1. Roger Ascham was one of the first Englishmen to write extensively about the art of archery, as seen in his work *Toxophilus* (1545).

2. He is credited with popularizing the use of the vernacular in scholarly works, advocating for the use of English over Latin.

3. Ascham was a strong proponent of the humanist educational model and emphasized the importance of a well-rounded education.

4. He was known for his friendship with many leading scholars of his time, including Sir John Cheke and William Grindal.

5. Despite his significant contributions to education and literature, Ascham faced financial difficulties throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Roger Ascham

1. “Learning teacheth more in one year than experience in twenty.”

2. “He that will write well in any tongue must follow this counsel of Aristotle: to speak as the common people do, to think as wise men do.”

3. “The least learning is done in the most learned schools.”

4. “Young children were sooner allured by love than driven by beating to attain good learning.”

5. “To speak as the common people do, to think as wise men do, is the way to write well.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Roger Ascham did not achieve significant wealth during his lifetime; his net worth was modest, reflective of a scholar and educator of his era.

Children

Roger Ascham had several children with his wife, Margaret Howe. Notably, one of his sons, Giles Ascham, followed in his father’s intellectual footsteps, contributing to the literary and scholarly traditions of the time.