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William May

1505 – 1560

English cleric and academic

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About William May

Lived 1505 – 1560 (aged 54–55). William May was an anglican priest.

William May (died 1560), also known as William Meye, was dean of St Paul's. He was nominated Archbishop of York in 1560, but died before he could take office.

William May was the brother of John May, bishop of Carlisle. He was educated at Cambridge, where he was a fellow of Trinity Hall, and in 1537, president of Queens' College. May heartily supported the Reformation, signed the Ten Articles in 1536, and helped in the production of The Institution of a Christian Man. He had close connection with the diocese of Ely, being successively chancellor, vicar-general and prebendary. In 1545 he was made a prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, and, in the following year, dean of St Paul's.

His favorable report on the Cambridge colleges saved them from dissolution. He was dispossessed during the reign of Queen Mary, but restored to the deanery on Elizabeth's accession. He died on the day he was elected Archbishop of York.

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Important facts

Born
1505
Birth century
Died
1560
Occupation
Positions held
Dean of St Paul's
Employers
University of Cambridge
Also known as
William Meye

People in William May's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William May's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William May?

English cleric and academic

When was William May born?

William May was born in 1505.

When did William May die?

William May died in 1560.

What was William May's occupation?

William May was an anglican priest.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William May

· Wikidata: Q8015276

· DBpedia: William May (theologian)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William May. https://biography.guide/william-may-anglican-priest/

MLA: "William May." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-may-anglican-priest/.

Chicago: "William May." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-may-anglican-priest/.

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