Biography.guide
Home › People › Lawyer › William Noy
Portrait of William Noy

William Noy

1577 – 1634

English politician

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About William Noy

Lived 1577 – 1634 (aged 56–57). William Noy was an English lawyer and politician.

William Noy (1577 – 9 August 1634) was an English jurist.

He was born on the family estate of Pendrea in St Buryan, Cornwall. He left Exeter College, Oxford, without taking a degree, and entered Lincoln's Inn in 1594. From 1603 until his death he was elected, with one exception, to each parliament, sitting invariably for a constituency of his native county. For several years his sympathies were in antagonism to the court party, yet every commission that was appointed numbered Noy among its members, and even those who were opposed to him in politics acknowledged his learning.

A few years before his death he changed political allegiance, went over to the side of the court, and in October 1631 he was created Attorney-general, but was never knighted. It was through his advice that the impost of ship money was levied, resulting in a controversy that helped trigger the English Civil War. Noy suffered from stones, and died in great pain; he was buried at New Brentford church.

His principal works are On the Grounds and Maxims of the Laws of this Kingdom (1641) and The Compleat Lawyer (1661).

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Born
1577
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Exeter College
Positions held
Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England, Member of the 1604-11 Parliament, Member of the 1621-22 Parliament, Member of the 1624-25 Parliament

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Noy's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Noy?

English politician

When was William Noy born?

William Noy was born in 1577.

When did William Noy die?

William Noy died on 9 August 1634.

What was William Noy's occupation?

William Noy was a lawyer and politician.

What nationality was William Noy?

William Noy was English.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Noy

· Wikidata: Q8016194

· DBpedia: William Noy

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Noy. https://biography.guide/william-noy/

MLA: "William Noy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-noy/.

Chicago: "William Noy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-noy/.

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

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC