Emmanuel Lobb

Emmanuel Lobb (1594–1671), pseudonyms Joseph Simons or Simeon, was an English Jesuit and dramatist. He is chiefly remembered for converting the future King James II to the Roman Catholic faith.

Life Born at Portsmouth, Lobb was at age of 11 sent to Portugal to learn the language for commerce, and there was converted to the Roman Catholic faith by Henry Floyd. He was sent to St Omer College, and then entered the English College at Rome under the assumed name of Joseph Simeon, on 13 October 1616. Having received minor orders in 1617, he left Rome for Belgium on 14 September 1619, and was received into the Society of Jesus at Liège.

Lobb was professed of the four vows on 25 January 1632–3. After teaching rhetoric and belles-lettres at St Omer College for five years, he became professor of theology, philosophy, and sacred scripture in the English theologate of the Society of Jesus at Liège. In 1647 he was appointed rector of the English College at Rome, and in 1650 rector of the theologate at Liège. He was also instructor of the tertian fathers at Ghent.