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Thomas Whittaker

1614 – 1646

English martyr

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About Thomas Whittaker

Lived 1614 – 1646 (aged 31–32).

Thomas Whittaker (1614 at Burnley, Lancashire – executed 7 August 1646 at Lancaster) was an English Roman Catholic priest. A Catholic martyr, he was beatified in 1987.

Life

Son of Thomas Whitaker, schoolmaster, and Helen, his wife, he was educated first at his father's school. By the generosity of the Towneley family he was then sent to Valladolid, where he studied for the priesthood.

After ordination (1638) he returned to England, and for five years worked in Lancashire, including places such as Claughton-on-Brock. On one occasion he was arrested, but escaped while being conducted to Lancaster Castle, by climbing out the upstairs window of an inn.

Though naturally timorous, and suffering much from the anticipation of his execution, he declined all attempts made to induce him to conform to the state church by the offer of his life. He was executed with Edward Bamber and John Woodcock, saying to the sheriff: "Use your pleasure with me, a reprieve or even a pardon upon your conditions I utterly refuse".

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Important facts

Born
1614, England, Lancashire
Birth century
Also known as
Thomas Whitaker

People in Thomas Whittaker's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Thomas Whittaker's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thomas Whittaker?

English martyr

When was Thomas Whittaker born?

Thomas Whittaker was born in 1614 in Burnley, England, Lancashire.

When did Thomas Whittaker die?

Thomas Whittaker died on 7 August 1646 in England, Lancaster, Lancashire.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Thomas Whittaker

· Wikidata: Q7795082

· DBpedia: Thomas Whittaker (martyr)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thomas Whittaker. https://biography.guide/thomas-whittaker/

MLA: "Thomas Whittaker." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thomas-whittaker/.

Chicago: "Thomas Whittaker." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thomas-whittaker/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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