Matthias Alleyn

Matthias Alleyn (died 9 April 1642) was a 17th-century London gentleman and the second Master of the College of God's Gift.

Early life He was born the cousin of Edward Alleyn in London. His first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1627. With his second wife he had two daughters. His son, John Alleyn would later become Warden and then Master of the same college, and was also the last member of Edward Alleyn's family to hold such posts within the Foundation.

Career When Edward Alleyn laid out the Deed of Foundation of the College of God's Gift in Dulwich, which was soon colloquially referred to as "Dulwich College", he stipulated that the Master and Warden should always be unmarried and of Alleyn's blood, and surname, and if the former was impossible then at least of Alleyn's surname. Both he and his cousin Thomas, who became the first master, met the criteria of being of Edward Alleyn's blood and surname, although he was married. Edward Alleyn named him in the Deed of Foundation as Warden, thus he was appointed on 13 September 1619. However, such was Edward Alleyn's continued involvement in his charitable concern that neither he nor Thomas assumed office until Edward Alleyn's death in 1626. He was a trustee for Edward Alleyn's widow and the executor of his will.

He died on 9 April 1642 and was succeeded in the post by another cousin of the founder, a second Thomas Alleyn who had served as warden in the period that Matthias had been Master. Matthias gave a silver bowl to the college, which is still held by the college.